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Dental Bridge
Dental bridge is a dental restoration to replace a missing tooth.
Dental bridge procedure aims to replace a missing tooth by permanently joining adjacent teeth.
Dental bridges are made both by an indirect and a direct method of restoration.
In case of the indirect method, dental bridges are fabricated inside the mouth.
The material of dental bridges varies. It can be made of gold, porcelain or combination of other materials.
The dental bridge cost is substantial. It can be as high as $1700 for a single dental bridge (per pontic).
Dental Bridge Procedure
A dental bridge is made by reducing the surface of the teeth on either side of the empty space.
These adjacent teeth need to accommodate the material from which dental bridge is fabricated.
The dimensions of the bridge are defined by the root surface area of the filling/connecting element.
The connecting element (for those who like fancy medical names - abutment teeth) must have the root surface area greater or equal to the teeth being replaced.
Generally, dental bridge procedure restores an endentulous space (in normal English - an empty space) with a pontic (that is, a dummy) tooth. This restoration is referred to as a dental bridge.
Dental bridge procedure can be very elaborate.
In cases where patients miss more than one tooth the procedure is very complex.
Therefore, the dental bridge procedure or dental bridge work involves more than just fusing teeth together.
Proper treatment, tooth preparation and restoration are paramount.
Dental Bridge Work Materials
New materials offer improved bonding into a human tissue. Dental bridges may be made:
- entirely of gold,
- combination of gold and porcelain,
- combination of gold and other materials or
- combination of porcelain and other materials.
Porcelain and resins offer the most natural look of the dental bridge.
In case of resins, dental bridges can be fabricated entirely inside the mouth.
Therefore, for cosmetic reasons the above materials are preferred.
However, dental bridges made of porcelain and resins can break.
In case of resins, the bridge can wear off.
In case of a stronger porcelain, dental bridges can be chipped.
The more expensive gold will definitely last. However, the cosmetics of the material is not so attractive.
Therefore, dental bridge work is often made of composite materials.
Dental Bridge Cost
A dental bridge cost is substantial. The financial damage to your pocket can range between $900-$1700 per pontic for an indirect fabrication. This is an estimation for a resin material only. Therefore, porcelain, gold and composite materials for dental bridge cost more. Additional procedures of restoration will further increase the price of dental bridge work. In most cases the lab fees are included. However, do not assume anything and ask if the estimate of dental bridge cost is complete.