What are Bridges?
A bridge is fixed replacement for a missing tooth that is attached to one or more adjacent teeth.
The supporting teeth are known as abutment teeth and the replacement tooth is known as the pontic. Bridges can be divided into three broad categories as follows:
Conventional bridges
These bridges involve one or more crowned abutment teeth linked together to include at least one pontic tooth.
Advantages
- Very strong predictable results
- Can replace multiple teeth
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Minimum of two visits
Disadvantages
- Extensive adjustment to multiple teeth
- High risk of fracture to abutment teeth
- High risk of tooth dying off long term
- Higher costs due to laboratory fees
Wing retained bridges
Wing retained bridges have an artificial tooth attached to a metal wing that is cemented to the back of an adjacent tooth.
These bridges are indicated where no preparation is required to supported teeth and often as an immediate solution after extraction.
Advantages
- Excellent aesthetics
- Minimal adjustment to abutment tooth
- Can be fitted at time of extraction of tooth
Disadvantages
- Can debond and drop off periodically
- Metal wing can shine through abutment tooth
Fibre reinforced bridges
Fibre reinforced bridges use modern fibre reinforced composites to provide directly built "same day" bridges that are bonded to adjacent teeth.
These are an excellent option if the abutment teeth have been loosened by gum disease as the fibres can be used to strengthen these teeth as well as support the pontic.
Advantages
- Same day result
- Lower costs as no laboratory fees
- Strengthen loose supporting teeth
- Can give a replacement option where no other replacement option would work
- Easy to repair in mouth
Disadvantages
- Composite prone to stain
- Cleaning more critical around bonded teeth
- Pontic can debond from fibres
Download a PDF of this page by clicking here.
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - download it for free by clicking here)