Dental Bridges (Partial Dentures)
A dental bridge is used to replace a series of missing teeth. It is a fixture of a series of dental crowns attached to a metal mechanism that is usually attached to your other teeth. The natural teeth on either side of the bridge (the abutment teeth) may need to be contoured to create a little more space in which to fit the bridge. The amount and type of reduction done to the abutment teeth varies slightly with the different materials used.
There are three types of bridges, with advantages and disadvantages to each type.
Permanent dentures are anchored to the mouth by implants, and cannot be removed for cleaning. This is the most costly bridge but is of course the most permanent. The patient must have adequate bone where the implants are to be placed. If the patient does not have enough bone, they might choose to have bone grafting work done to add bone, and then have implants placed, followed by the bridge.
Hybrid partial dentures are attached to other teeth by means of a bar which is screwed to implants. The bar and the hybrid partial denture can be removed by a dentist. This is somewhat less costly than a permanent bridge and usually requires fewer implants.
Removable partial dentures are not anchored in the mouth and can remove for cleaning by the patient. This is the least costly option, but a patient may choose it for other reasons. The patient may not have enough bone to accept implants and may not want to have bone work done. Or, the patient may see the removable bridge as one step towards having other dental work done.
Special attention and care is needed to clean well underneath any type of bridge.
