Types of Dental Bridges & Procedure Steps

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a type of dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. It fills the gap with one or more false teeth, using the surrounding teeth as support.

Also known as fixed partial dentures, dental bridges are made up of two main components:

1. Abutments ⁠— Adjacent teeth that support the bridge; they may be your natural teeth or dental implants. Bridges usually have abutments on either side of the missing teeth.
2. Pontics ⁠— Artificial teeth that bridge the gap between the abutments. There can be more than one pontic if you’re missing several teeth in a row.

The natural teeth (abutments) themselves are usually fitted with dental crowns. Dental crowns on natural teeth are often referred to as retainers. They’re attached to the artificial teeth (pontics) with connectors.

Who Needs a Dental Bridge?

You may need dental bridges if you have missing teeth. Your teeth share the pressure of biting and chewing and exert pressure on each other.

Dr. Nandita Lilly, one of NewMouth’s in-house dentists, says, “A missing tooth is a serious matter. If the tooth is not replaced, other teeth can drift out of position, change the bite, possibly leading to tooth decay and gum disease.”

Dental implants can also replace missing teeth, but not everyone is qualified for implants.

Who is a Candidate for Dental Bridges?

Your dentist may recommend a bridge if you:

• Already have teeth that need crowns on what would become the abutment teeth
• Have medical or financial reasons that prevent you from getting dental implants
• Simply don’t want implants

If you are a candidate for a bridge, your dentist can also help you decide what kind of dental bridge procedure is best for you.

Why Do I Need a Dental Bridge?

Your teeth work together as one unit. If you lose a tooth, another may move into the opening. This can cause jaw issues and pain. 

When teeth move around in an attempt to fill the space, you may experience:

• Difficulty chewing
• Difficulty biting 
• Pain due to stress on your jaw and teeth
• Insecurities about the way your teeth look or your smile

Four Types of Dental Bridges

There are four different kinds of dental bridges. What makes them different, generally, is how they attach.

1. Conventional Dental Bridge

A conventional or traditional dental bridge requires a crown (retainer) to attach to both abutment teeth. The connectors to both retainers can be rigid (fixed-fixed), or one of them can allow some movement (fixed-movable).

Your dentist will decide which one you need depending on your specific situation. Fixed-fixed bridges require the adjacent teeth to be parallel, while fixed-movable ones allow for more deviation.

2. Cantilever Dental Bridge

Conventional bridges can also have a cantilever design, which is now less common. These bridges have just one abutment tooth for support rather than two.

Cantilever bridges are ideal for someone with teeth on only one side of the missing front tooth or gap.

3. Maryland Dental Bridge

An adhesive or resin-bonded bridge, also called a Maryland bridge, doesn’t require dental crowns on the abutment teeth. Instead, it features wings on either side of the artificial tooth that attaches to your abutment teeth by an adhesive.

The most common use for Maryland bridges is on the front teeth. These bridges require less preparation, but for the same reason, they may not be as secure as conventional bridges.

On the other hand, the less complex nature of an adhesive means a less invasive procedure.  

4. Implant-Supported Bridge

This type of bridge is similar to the conventional permanent bridge. The difference is that the abutment teeth are implants rather than a retainer crown being placed over your natural tooth. 

How Much Does a Dental Bridge Cost?

The cost of your new dental bridge depends on the type of bridge you choose: 

• Traditional or cantilever bridges — $2,000 to $5,000 for a pontic and a crown for each abutment tooth⁹
• Maryland bridges — $1,500 to $2,500 for one pontic and its framework that attaches to the abutment teeth⁹
• Implant-supported bridges — $5,000 to $15,000 for a bridge with two implants spanning three or four teeth⁹

Other factors that affect the cost of a dental bridge include:

• Cost of materials
• Location of the bridge in the mouth 
• Factors that may increase the difficulty of the procedure
• Number of missing teeth gaps to fill
• Any additional treatments required

Benefits and Risks of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges offer some clear benefits, but they aren’t without risks.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

• Restored function (biting and chewing)
• Restored esthetics 
• Maintenance of the alignment of your teeth over time
• Do not require surgery 
• Relatively quick to place (usually only two appointments are needed)
• Can improve your speech (especially if you had missing teeth)

Risks of Dental Bridges

• Extensive preparation of abutment teeth (for traditional bridges) is necessary, which may require the sacrifice of healthy tooth structure
• Secondary caries (tooth decay in an already treated tooth) can occur, especially if you don’t use superfloss or floss threaders to clean under the bridge 
• The eventual failure of the bridge and the need for replacement

Taking care of your oral health can significantly minimize the possibility of complications or dental bridge failure.

How to Care for a Dental Bridge

Although they are fixed, bridges don’t last forever. Most dental bridges last five to seven years. However, some dental bridges last more than 10 years with proper care. They experience wear and tear over time, so you’ll need to replace them at some point.

To ensure that your bridge remains in good shape for as long as possible, you’ll need to:

• Keep a good oral hygiene regimen, including regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing
• Take it easy with hard foods and sugary foods
• See your dentist and dental hygienist regularly for checkups and routine cleanings

Other Tooth Restoration Options 

If a bridge isn’t right for you, there are other dental restoration options available:

• Removable partial dentures
• Full or complete dentures (if you’re missing all your teeth) 
• Dental implants
• Full mouth reconstruction (if you have extensive issues and require multiple procedures)

Like bridges, these options each have their advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist can provide information about specific options suitable for your unique situation.

Summary

Dental bridges are a type of fixed dental restoration for missing teeth. They consist of one or more pontics (fake teeth) supported by abutments on one or both sides.

There are different ways that bridges can attach, as well as different types of materials. Some may suit your preferences more than others. 

Talk to your dentist about your options.