Dental Bridges: Fix Your Smile
Table of Contents
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a way to put a fake tooth in your mouth where you lost a real one. The fake tooth is held in place by the teeth next to it.
Bridges help your smile look better and make it easier to chew food. They also stop your other teeth from moving out of place.
Many people like bridges because they stay in your mouth all the time. You do not take them out like some other fake teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are four main types of bridges:
- Traditional Bridge
- Most common type
- Has crowns on teeth next to the gap
- Very strong
- Works for most missing teeth
- Maryland Bridge
- Uses metal wings that stick to back of your teeth
- Less drilling of your real teeth
- Good for front teeth
- Not as strong as other types
- Cantilever Bridge
- Only uses one tooth next to the gap
- Not used much today
- Can put too much stress on the one tooth
- Implant Bridge
- Held up by dental implants in your jaw
- Very strong and stable
- Lasts the longest
- Costs the most money
Bridge Types Table
| Type | How Long It Lasts | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | 10-15 years | $1,500-$5,000 | Strong support |
| Maryland | 5-7 years | $1,200-$2,500 | Front teeth |
| Implant | 15+ years | $3,500-$15,000+ | Big gaps |
What Bridges Are Made Of
Dental bridges can be made from many materials:
- Porcelain – Looks most like real teeth
- Zirconia – Very strong white material
- Metal – Strong but not pretty
- Gold – Strong and lasts long
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) – Metal inside with white outside
The best material depends on:
- Where the missing tooth is
- How hard you bite
- If you want it to look real
- How much money you can spend
Today, zirconia has become very popular. A study shows that from 2009 to 2020, use of zirconia for bridges went up from 7.4% to 57.3% .
How You Get a Dental Bridge
Getting a bridge takes several steps:
- First Visit
- Dentist looks at your teeth
- Takes x-rays
- Makes a plan
- Tooth Prep Day
- Dentist numbs your mouth
- Shapes the teeth next to the gap
- Takes molds of your teeth
- Puts on a temporary bridge
- Bridge Day
- Dentist takes off temporary bridge
- Tries in the new bridge
- Makes sure it fits right
- Cements it in place
- Check-Up
- Come back to make sure bridge feels good
- Fix any problems
The whole thing takes about 2-3 visits over 3-6 weeks.
Most people feel just a little sore after. You can take regular pain pills if you need them.
How Much Do Bridges Cost?
Bridges can cost different amounts based on:
- Type of bridge
- How many teeth you need
- What they’re made of
- Where you live
Here are the average costs:
- Traditional bridge: $1,500-$5,000
- Maryland bridge: $1,200-$2,500
- Implant bridge: $3,500-$15,000+
Insurance might pay for part of it. Most dental plans cover about 50% of the cost . They use codes like D6210-D6253 for bridges.
You can save money by:
- Using your dental insurance
- Setting up a payment plan
- Using a health savings account (HSA)
- Going to a dental school
Good Things and Bad Things About Bridges
Good Things:
- Fixed in place – no taking out
- Look like real teeth
- Help you chew better
- Keep other teeth from moving
- Fix your smile fast
Bad Things:
- Need to file down good teeth
- Can get cavities under the bridge
- Don’t last as long as implants
- Need special cleaning
- Can break if you bite hard things
A study found that traditional bridges last about 10.1 years on average, while implants can last 40-50 years . This is why some people pick implants even though they cost more.
Who Should Not Get Bridges?
Some people should think twice before getting bridges:
- People who smoke a lot
- People with very bad gum disease
- People who don’t brush their teeth well
- People with very weak teeth next to the gap
- Young people whose jaws are still growing
For these people, other options might work better.
How to Take Care of Your Bridge
To make your bridge last a long time:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss every day – use special floss threaders
- Use a water flosser to clean under the bridge
- See your dentist twice a year
- Don’t chew hard candy, ice or nuts
- Don’t open things with your teeth
Good care can make your bridge last 5-15 years or even longer!
About 60% of bridge replacements happen because of decay under the bridge or cement coming loose . Good cleaning helps stop these problems.
Other Ways to Replace Missing Teeth
If you’re not sure a bridge is right for you, there are other options:
- Dental Implants
- Titanium post put in your jaw
- Most like a real tooth
- Last the longest
- Cost the most money
- Learn more about implant-supported dental bridges
- Partial Dentures
- Can take in and out
- Less expensive
- Not as stable for chewing
- May look less natural
- Learn about flexible partial dentures
- Flipper Tooth
- Simple plastic tooth
- Very cheap
- Temporary only
- Not good for chewing
For more information about dental bridges, check out this guide on bridge dentures.
Questions People Ask
Does getting a bridge hurt?
Most people feel just a little sore after. The dentist gives you numbing medicine during the procedure. After that, regular pain pills like Tylenol work well.
How long do bridges last?
With good care, bridges last about 7-10 years. Some can last 15 years or more. Traditional bridges last about 10.1 years on average .
Can I eat normally with a bridge?
Yes! After a few days of getting used to it, you can eat most foods. It’s best to avoid very sticky foods like caramel and very hard foods like nuts.
Will my bridge look fake?
Modern bridges look very natural. The dentist matches the color and shape to your other teeth. Most people can’t tell which teeth are bridges.
Can a bridge be fixed if it breaks?
Sometimes. Small problems can be fixed, but if the bridge breaks badly, you need a new one. This is why it’s important not to bite very hard things.
Comparing Bridge Types
Let’s see how the different types compare:
| Feature | Traditional | Maryland | Cantilever | Implant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Very Good | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| Looks Natural | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Excellent |
| Damages Other Teeth | Yes | Little | Yes | No |
| Cost | Medium | Lower | Medium | Highest |
| How Long It Lasts | 10-15 years | 5-7 years | 8-12 years | 15+ years |
Famous Dental Bridge Materials
Some popular brands that make bridge materials are:
- Nobel Biocare – Makes implants and bridge parts
- 3M ESPE – Makes Lava™ Zirconia for strong bridges
- Dentsply Sirona – Makes many dental products
- Ivoclar Vivadent – Makes IPS e.max for pretty bridges
These companies make materials that dentists trust.
New Bridge Technology
Dentistry keeps getting better with new technology:
- Digital impressions – No more goopy molds
- CAD/CAM – Computers design and make bridges
- 3D printing – Can make temporary bridges fast
- Same-day bridges – Some bridges can be made while you wait
These new ways make getting bridges faster and more comfortable.
Some dental offices use CEREC machines that can make a bridge in one visit!
Conclusion
Dental bridges are a good way to fill gaps in your smile. They help you look better, eat better, and keep your other teeth healthy.
With many types and materials, you and your dentist can find the right bridge for you.
Remember that the best bridge is the one that fits your needs for how it looks, how long it lasts, and how much it costs.
Talk to your dentist about whether a traditional dental bridge or Maryland bridge is better for your specific situation.
Take good care of your bridge by brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly.
With proper care, your bridge will help you smile with confidence for many years!
