Dental bridges are one of the most popular ways to restore missing teeth. They are somewhat similar to dentures, but they stay permanently fixed in place. Modern materials and manufacturing methods give dental bridges exceptional strength, function, and aesthetic qualities. Combined with their low price, this still makes them a very popular option despite the rapid development of dental implantology. However, dental bridges also have important disadvantages, so it is wise to think carefully before placing a bridge in your mouth.

What Are Dental Bridges?

What Are Dental Bridges

Imagine that one or more teeth are missing from your row of teeth. A dental bridge is a structure made of dental crowns attached to the teeth before and after the missing tooth. Between them sits an artificial tooth called a pontic. The pontic fills the space of the missing tooth and reaches the gum without piercing it.

What Are the Types of Dental Bridges?

What Are the Types of Dental Bridges

There are four main types of dental bridges:

  • Traditional Fixed Bridges: These consist of crowns with a pontic fixed between them.
  • Adhesive Bridges: These attach to the abutment teeth by gluing, which removes the need to file the abutment teeth. That is their advantage. At the same time, it is also a disadvantage because this type of construction does not offer very high strength. For this reason, dentists primarily use these bridges to restore front teeth.
  • Dental Bridges on Implants: As their name suggests, these are placed on dental implants that have already been positioned in the jaw. This allows a smaller number of implants to restore a larger number of missing teeth.
  • Cantilever Bridges: These attach to only one supporting tooth. This construction did not prove very successful, so this type of bridge is no longer used.
  • Temporary Bridges: These can be defined as a separate type. They are made of plastic and are most often placed to protect already filed teeth until the permanent bridges are made.

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What Materials Are Dental Bridges Made Of?

Modern materials offer excellent strength and aesthetic qualities:

Metal Dental Bridges

These are now used rarely. They are made of precious metals such as gold. They are strong and relatively cheap, but they are not aesthetically pleasing.

Metal-Ceramic Bridges

This is one of the most popular types. Metal-ceramic bridges combine the strength of metal bridges with the excellent aesthetic appearance created by layering ceramic materials onto the supporting structure.

For metal-ceramic bridges to function well, several conditions must be met. The missing tooth must be surrounded by healthy and well-aligned teeth. Placing such a bridge requires deep filing and mortising of the supporting teeth. In some cases, crown recession can make the metal edge of the bridge visible, which affects the aesthetics.

Metal-ceramic bridges cannot be used in cases of periodontitis, and with good care they usually last about eight years.

All-Ceramic Dental Bridges

These offer an extremely good aesthetic appearance. In addition, the qualities of the material do not change over time or under the influence of food and drinks. The ceramic material is also hypoallergenic, does not irritate the gums, and requires only minimal and gentle filing of the supporting teeth.

Ceramic dental bridges are suitable for front teeth and for no more than three teeth at a time. Because the material is more fragile, pure ceramic is not recommended for chewing teeth.

Zirconium Dental Bridges

These are the best option in terms of strength, durability, and aesthetics. Zirconium is an extremely strong material that allows dentists to create bridges that are almost indistinguishable from healthy teeth. In addition, these bridges do not change under the influence of different foods and drinks.

Zirconium does not cause allergic reactions, and placing zirconium bridges does not require aggressive filing of the supporting teeth. Patients also adapt to zirconium crowns very quickly, usually within a few hours, and their durability can reach up to twenty years. In addition, zirconia bridges do not limit the number of tooth units that can be restored.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Bridges?

The advantages of dental bridges are

  • Low cost – this makes them accessible to a wide range of people;
  • Quick fabrication – the process is relatively fast, so people can restore their smile in a shorter time frame compared with other dental solutions;
  • Easy placement – dentists can fit them with minimal discomfort and without invasive surgery.

Disadvantages

  • Requires filing and sometimes killing of healthy teeth;
  • Bone beneath the missing teeth thins and atrophies over time;
  • Limited service life, especially for cheaper options – just a few years.

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What Are the Contraindications for Placing a Dental Bridge?

Diseases such as stomatitis, periodontitis, pulpitis, and various other infectious and inflammatory conditions of the teeth and gums can prevent the placement of a dental bridge. If you have bruxism, you must first undergo treatment before moving forward with a dental bridge. Dentists also do not place dental bridges (and crowns) on pregnant or lactating women.

What Is the Procedure for Placing a Dental Bridge?

What is the procedure for placing a dental bridge

Placing a dental bridge usually requires two or three visits within a few days:

First Visit

The dentist prepares the supporting teeth and takes an impression or scans the jaw, depending on the chosen type of bridge and the manufacturing method. Finally, temporary crowns are placed on the treated teeth.

Second Visit

The dentist makes a sample of the bridge. Depending on the material chosen, the bridge may be permanently fixed at this stage, for example in the case of a zirconia bridge, or sent back to the dental lab for ceramic layering, as happens with metal-ceramic bridges.

Third Visit (if required)

The dentist permanently fixes the dental bridge and completes the finishing work.

Care of Dental Bridges

With a well-made dental bridge, most people get used to it very quickly. Dental bridge care is no different from normal daily dental care. You should brush twice a day with toothpaste and use mouthwash. Preventive examinations and professional cleaning every six months are also recommended. This routine supports trouble-free and long-lasting use of the dental bridge.

What Are the Prices of Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are one of the most affordable ways to restore missing teeth. Prices in the clinics we work with are significantly lower than those in Great Britain, without affecting the quality of materials or workmanship. To provide a price, we first need to understand your case. We can do that through the online consultation we offer. To register for an online consultation, use THIS FORM.

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FAQ about Dental Bridges

How quickly do patients adapt to a dental bridge?

Most patients adapt quickly to a dental bridge, typically within a few days to a week.

What dietary restrictions should I follow with a dental bridge?

Avoid hard and sticky foods, as they can damage the bridge and affect its longevity.

How can harmful habits affect my dental bridge?

Avoid biting nails or pens, as these actions can damage the bridge and reduce its effectiveness.

How important are regular check-ups for my dental bridge?

Regular dental visits are crucial for the longevity of the bridge, ensuring it remains in good condition and any potential issues are addressed promptly.

Why is good oral hygiene important with a dental bridge?

Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent infections around the bridge and maintain overall oral health.

Can dental bridges improve speech?

Yes, dental bridges can help improve speech that may have been affected by missing teeth, as they restore the natural structure of the mouth and teeth alignment.

Do dental bridges require special cleaning tools?

While standard brushing and flossing are essential, there are special cleaning tools like floss threaders and interdental brushes that can help clean around and under the bridge more effectively.

Can dental bridges be repaired if damaged?

Depending on the extent of the damage, dental bridges can often be repaired by a dentist, though significant damage might require replacement.

How do we work

Once you have made contact with us, we will organize a free video consultation with the surgeon we believe is best suited for your particular situation.

This consultation will be within 5 days of your request. Prior to the video consultation, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history and send photos of the problematic areas. 

If necessary during the video consultation your doctor will advise you to take additional photos of the problematic areas and suggestions for the angle from which to take photos.

This consultation will be combined with a detailed discussion about your wishes and the possibilities for achieving them.  We will discuss with you the expected results, possible risks and any other issues that you might be concerned about.

We advise you to make a list of all the questions you may want to ask concerning the procedure before the actual consultation. After the official request to us, and if you wish, we can arrange a meeting for you with our representative in London.

Within 24 hours of the video consultation, we will send you a costing describing the price of the procedure and the needed length of stay in Bulgaria. In the costing there will also be preferential prices offered for our partner hotels with which we work and for which we can guarantee the quality and comfort. 

You will then have 3-4 days of time to reflect, and give us your decision.

If you decide to proceed and agree with all terms and conditions , you will have 48 hours within which you must prepay 30% of the total amount of the procedure. This amount is paid directly to the clinic where your procedure will be performed and thereby you will have a reserved date and time for your procedure and a room in the hotel you have chosen. The remaining balance has to be paid by the day before the procedure itself after conducting the preliminary examination in the clinic.

If you decide or need to cancel the procedure, this must be done at least 30 days before the date of your flight in order to be able to trigger a process for returning your deposit.  

If you decide to cancel our services within the last 30 days before your flight, you must have a good reason for doing so (supported by evidence) in order to take your money back. If you cancel it within these 30 days and the reason is acceptable, your money will be returned, but you will be suspended 50 euro for an administrative fee. If you wish to change the date of the procedure, this can happen at least 30 days before.

If you wish, we can also arrange your travel from your home to the airport. We are partners with a transport company and you can use our preferential prices. This also applies to your return flight. To do this, you will need to send us the details of your flight one week in advance.

Upon arrival in Bulgaria, you will be greeted at the airport by one of our employees who will take you to your hotel.

On the day before the operation, you will have a preliminary examination, where some necessary tests will be performed (e.g. blood tests) and we will specify all the details related to the operation (treatment plan, proposal for some additional or adjacent procedures for a better outcome, recovery plan etc). Our employee will take you to the clinic and after that to the place where you are to be accommodated.

Before the surgery, you will need to sign an informed consent document (i.e. a document certifying that you have been informed by the doctor about all potential risks and complications and that you understand them) and agree to proceed with the procedure).

On the day of the operation our employee will bring you back to the clinic. Depending on the procedure, you may need to have one or several days of hospital stay. After the completion of the procedure and the hospital stay, our employee will take you back to your hotel.

During the entire stay, our employee will be at your service throughout. 

If you wish, and if the procedure allows, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements but this must be specified in advance.

On the day of departure, you will be accompanied by our employee back to the airport.

If you wish, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements. This must be specified in advance.

You will be provided with a detailed plan on the recovery process. 

Online consultations in the recovery period will be arranged with your surgeon, but if you have stayed in the hospital after your procedure, the doctor will give you post-operative examinations on the first and third days.

On the seventh and fourteenth days, preventive online consultations will be made to track how the recovery goes.  

Online consultation reviews are also done on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6thmonths.You will be able to contact us at any time!

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