June 10, 2024 Reading time ~ 5 min Number of reads : 740
Losing a tooth for one reason or another entails a lot of discomfort for a person. For this reason, the right solution is to resort to prosthetic tooth replacement. This will not only fully restore the chewing ability, but also provide the necessary level of aesthetics. At the moment, there are many different technical solutions that can provide an effective restoration of the tooth row on both the upper and lower jaw. One of the most popular is the installation of bridge prostheses.
Features of adhesive bridges
Bridges are prosthetic structures, the installation of which is carried out with the support of healthy teeth. The placement of such prostheses is carried out on an adhesive basis, which is reflected in the name of the design.
As a rule, such a solution is installed as a temporary measure before full implantation. Thanks to the existing variety of bridge designs and methods of their fixation, the doctor will easily be able to choose the option that is best suited for each individual case.
Indications for denture placement
The use of adhesive bridges is carried out in the case of loss of one tooth. In rare cases, the dentist can restore up to three teeth in this way, provided they are in the same tooth row next to each other. This is due to the low strength of the composite material from which this type of prosthesis is made.
The wear period of such prosthetic structures does not exceed 2 years, which made them a popular option for surgical prosthetics with subsequent replacement with an implant.
In what cases is installation impossible?
As with any other medical intervention for the installation of such prostheses, there are a number of contraindications. The most significant of them are:
- Mobility of the supporting teeth;
- Presence of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
- Low level of the supporting crown part of the tooth or their curvature;
- Expressed atrophy of the jaw bone in the area of the missing tooth.
In these situations, the use of this method of prosthetics becomes the most comfortable and safe for the patient.
Advantages of adhesive bridge prostheses
This type of prosthesis has a lot of advantages that made it in demand. First of all, it is worth noting the efficiency of manufacturing. The process takes only a few hours, which allows you to quickly restore the smile area.
It is also worth noting a fairly high level of aesthetics for a temporary prosthesis. When communicating, it does not catch the eye and reliably hides the absence of a tooth. An important feature is the fact that during its installation, the supporting teeth are exposed to minimal impact, which allows you to keep them healthy after dismantling the design.
Disadvantages of dentures
The key disadvantage of such dentures is the low level of strength of the material compared to ceramic or zirconium, which does not allow the denture to withstand heavy loads. Also, due to the porosity of the material, it is subject to discoloration during use due to the accumulation of plaque.
It is also worth noting that the adhesive fixation is less reliable than standard bridges.
Fabrication process of the bridge
An important feature that the adhesive dental bridge has is that it can be made directly in the dentist’s office. In this case, the denture is formed directly in the patient’s mouth from a special material and then undergoes a manual processing stage to remove any defects before fitting.
In a more complex approach, the denture is fabricated in a laboratory setting. This increases the cost and lead time, but at the same time, allows the use of higher quality materials.
Stages of installation of an adhesive dental bridge
At the first stage, the dentist prepares the supporting teeth for the installation of the future bridge. Only after this can proceed directly to the procedure itself. The process of installing the prosthesis itself consists of several steps:
- Preparation of the support for the future bridge;
- Installation of the brass matrix and fiberglass reinforcement;
- Modeling of the prosthesis according to the peculiarities of the oral cavity;
- Filling of the matrix with dentite and enamel layers;
- Finishing of the bridge.
The absence of the need for implants makes it possible to significantly accelerate the process of restoration of the maxillofacial apparatus.
Alternative options for prosthetics
Undoubtedly, the most correct solution will be a full-fledged tooth implantation, as this not only provides sufficient strength, but also allows you to prevent bone degradation. If there is no such possibility, then you can use bridges with locking fasteners, which have significantly greater strength compared to adhesive bridges and, at the same time, significantly higher cost.
Features of care for an adhesive dental bridge
In addition to the standard brushing of teeth when wearing an adhesive bridge prosthesis, it is recommended to comply with several other important requirements. After each meal, it is recommended to rinse your mouth to avoid food residue getting under the denture.
Cost of Adhesive Bridge Dentures
As mentioned earlier, an adhesive bridge denture is a fairly budget-friendly option for dentures. However, it is important to note that the final cost is made up of a number of aspects. What materials were used, how many teeth need to be covered, whether therapeutic intervention is required prior to prosthetics – all of this has an impact.
The opinion of specialists about dentures
As noted earlier, an adhesive bridge denture is a fairly budget-friendly option for prosthetics. However, it is important to note that the final cost is made up of a number of aspects. What materials were used, how many teeth need to be covered, whether therapeutic intervention is required before prosthetics – all of this is not included in the cost of the prosthesis.