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Dental Bridge

Dental bridges are prosthetic restorations used by dentists to replace one to four missing teeth. When a tooth is lost, it is important to fill the resulting gap as soon as possible. This is not only important for aesthetic reasons, but also because, following tooth loss, the neighbouring teeth may gradually shift into the empty space. The opposing teeth may also lose their natural support, tilt and gradually over-erupt. These changes can lead to bite problems and irreversible changes in the balance of the teeth and oral cavity.

A dentist may recommend a dental bridge when an entire tooth has been lost or when a tooth is damaged to such an extent that it can no longer support a crown.

A bridge consists of a pontic, which replaces the missing tooth, and crowns, which anchor the restoration to the natural teeth or implants. A bridge can also be attached to teeth using minimally invasive prosthetic elements, such as inlays, onlays or overlays.

What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?

In terms of the materials used, the types of bridges correspond to the types of crown restorations – composite-veneered, ceramic-veneered, all-ceramic and temporary acrylic bridges.

Today, all-ceramic bridges offer the highest level of aesthetics and biocompatibility. Unlike their metal-ceramic predecessors, they meet higher aesthetic and hygiene requirements.

How Is a Dental Bridge Made?

A new fixed bridge usually requires 2–3 visits to the dental practice. Before the bridge is made, it is first necessary to determine which teeth are strong enough to support the bridge and withstand chewing forces. These teeth are known as abutment teeth. Teeth that are not suitable may sometimes need to be extracted, while the abutment teeth may require endodontic treatment or fillings if necessary.

After this preparation, the dentist uses local anaesthesia to prepare the abutment teeth by reducing them so that they can support the bridge. The bridge consists of crowns connected by pontics, which replace the missing teeth and bridge the gaps.
Impressions of both jaws are then taken.
In consultation with the dentist, the dental technician selects the colour of the bridge individually for each patient.
A temporary acrylic bridge is placed over the prepared teeth to protect the prepared tooth stumps and prevent unwanted tooth movement while the definitive bridge is being manufactured.
Based on the impressions, the dental laboratory creates an accurate plaster model on which the definitive restoration is made.
At the next appointment, the bridge is tried in and the dentist performs the final fitting and cementation.