A bridge is used to restore a gap created by one or more missing teeth; literally bridging the gap. Many types of bridges exist; in essence they are all fixed and can only be removed by a dentist. Traditionally bridges have relied on natural teeth to support them however, with advances in science and technology Smile Cliniq can now offer implant, supported bridges, with the advantage of spanning larger gaps. Traditional bridges involve preparation of the supporting teeth to receive a crown; the gap is closed upon cementation of the final bridge with a life like ceramic pontic. See our portfolio.
What is it?
A bridge is a custom made precision item that is cemented over your tooth or implant to completely cover it and restore an adjacent gap. Traditionally bridges have been described as ceramic fused to metal. Bridges of this nature are most frequently used. However advancing technology has provided materials based on Zirconium, which has eliminated the requirement for a metal substructure for your bridge. All ceramic bridges now are the gold standard in providing the ultimate aesthetic result.
Resin bonded bridges are the quickest, most conservative, and cost effective solution in restoring that gap in your smile. They rely on good quality and quantity of tooth substance to be present. A metal wing is bonded to an adjacent sound tooth, this carries an aesthetic custom made ceramic tooth to bridge the gap in your smile.
Why are they used?
A Smile Cliniq bridge addresses both aesthetic and functional needs. Gaps at the front of your mouth provide a poor cosmetic appearance and affect speech and eating. Missing teeth further back in your mouth may provide significant limits to your diet. These reduce the pleasure and enjoyment associated with food and social occasions. Unstable, unsightly loose dentures have the potential to replaced with a fixed bridge.
Bridging that gap will provide you with a life changing experience and the confidence to smile at all times.
Initial consultation, assessment and planning will occur with one of our dentists’. The options appropriate to your case will be thoroughly discussed with you. Preoperative pictures and tooth shade will be taken and the process is initiated. Impressions maybe taken to allow our ceramist to provide a diagnostic wax up, this will physically allow you to visualise and approve the intended outcome.
Conventional Bridges
The procedure for a traditional tooth supported bridge follows that of a crown.
Resin bonded bridges (Maryland)
These require no or very little preparation of your tooth therefore negates the need for local anaesthetic. An impression will be taken of the tooth and sent to our ceramist along with your smile design and custom prescription. The Smile Cliniq ceramist follows your custom prescription to hand craft your bridge. This is then tried in and, after approval, cemented in. Resin bonded bridges are cheaper than conventional bridges and involve less tooth preparations, but they do not last as long as the latter.
Implant Retained Bridges
Implant retained bridges are closest man made item to replace natural teeth. Many combinations of implant supported bridge are possible. Initial consultation, assessment and planning will occur with one of our dentists. The options appropriate to your case will be thoroughly discussed with you.
Recall and Review
It may take a couple of days for you to become accustomed to your new bridge. You will be invited to return a few weeks after the provision of your bridge to review your oral health status, condition of bridge and feed back of the cosmetic result. It is important to employ a strict oral hygiene regime encompassing professional hygiene intervention, as a bridge will not protect natural teeth from decay or gum disease. You will be shown the most appropriate method to ensure optimal oral health. As with any treatment regular recall and review is essential to ensure optimal status of your bridge.
Types of Conventional Bridges
EMAX
Ivoclar Vivadent’s patented lithium disilicate material is truly a revolution for the dental industry. Never before has a material been able to combine high strength, high aesthetics and ease of use into one product, until now. IPS e.max is a lithium disilicate glass ceramic that has optimized translucency, durability and strength for full anatomical restorations. Due to the use of new technologies and optimized processing parameters, IPS e.max lithium disilicate has evolved beyond previously available lithium disilicate ceramics. Indeed, compared to other glass-ceramics, demonstrates a strength that is 2.5 to 3 times higher. IPS e.max lithium disilicate restorations exhibit superior durability featuring 360-400 MPa of flexural strength. When fabricated to full-contour, the monolithic structure is the most robust ceramic system tested to date. The opalescence, translucency and light diffusion properties of IPS e.max lithium disilicate were all designed to replicate natural tooth structure for beauty and undetectable restorations.
Zirconia
Zirconia is the strongest crown material on the market today. The Zirconia material typically used by most manufacturers is atetragonal polycrystalline zirconia, partially stabilized with yttrium oxide. Zirconia materials typically have strengths of over 900 MPa.
Porcelain Bonded to Metal
White porcelain bonded to a metal sub-structure. The metal gives strength whilst the porcelain gives the white colour. Not as natural looking as emax and gradia crowns. The metal substructure may be non – precious or precious metal depending on the patient’s choice. Precious metal is generally preferable as it is more biocompatible with the gingival (gums) leading to less inflammation and is less prone to corrosion. The weak point here is the bond between the porcelain and metal, and over time the porcelain breaks off the metal. Also, as gums recede with age, a black line may be seen above the crown and this leads to unsightly smile. This blackness is the metal in the crown. This does not occur with all porcelain/ceramic crowns.
It is generally accepted that between 1 in 5 and 1 in 8 teeth crowned go on to become non-vital and require a root canal treatment at some stage and this can sometimes be many years after the initial crown.
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