Derived from the English word “bridge” which means “bridge”, the bridge is a fixed prosthesis which is based on abutment teeth to replace a lost or severely damaged tooth. For this, we say that this technique is irreversible.

When one or more teeth are missing, and the area is surrounded by crowned teeth or requiring crowning, it is possible to weld on these teeth an artificial tooth in suspension, which does not rest on the bone or on the gum. This makes it possible to avoid the placement of an implant.

Here is an example of a 3 tooth bridge : a pivot tooth on the second premolar, a crown on the second molar, and between the two, an artificial molar welded in bridge to the two aforementioned teeth.

If the two teeth surrounding the missing space are healthy: they will therefore have to be devitalized and mutilated to replace only one. In this case, the implant would probably have been a better choice. If both teeth must be treated, on the other hand, the bridge becomes interesting.

These bridges can be of different types^1-3  :

– The metal bridge, which because of its unsightly color, will only rarely be used to replace an anterior tooth.

– The ceramic-metal bridge, whose metal coping is covered with ceramic.

– The all-ceramic bridge, entirely in ceramic.

– The vestibular inlay bridge, where only the vestibular part is made of ceramic or resin.

There are also “bonded” bridges with supporting teeth, slightly ground, but the latter must be in excellent health. The risk of failure, and in particular of loosening, is a little higher than average. We can also rely on implants to support the artificial tooth in suspension: the bridge is then said ” I implanted ».

The advantages of bridge

– The bridge can replace several teeth at the same time

– Its price is generally much more affordable than that of implants

– The teeth are very aesthetic and go unnoticed.

The disadvantages of bridge

– Sometimes it is necessary to make the “sacrifice” of two healthy teeth.

– It is poorly reimbursed by social security.

– The tooth being in suspension, the gum bone may retract due to lack of stimulation and the future placement of an implant will be compromised.

The advantages of the implant

– It leaves the teeth which frame it intact.

– Its maintenance is much simpler.

– It stimulates the bone during chewing and does not cause its degeneration.

The disadvantages of the implant

– The price is often high.

– It is not reimbursed by social security.

– The procedure is long.

The installation of a bridge is done in several ways but overall it follows this path:

1) The dentist treats the missing area or extracts the remaining tooth tip.

2) He then makes the dental impression using a paste so that a prosthetist can make the bridge.

3) During the 3^st appointment, we proceed to the installation of the bridge, which is very fast.

The price of a bridge depends on the material chosen, the type of bridge, the fees of the dentist, preliminary examinations, etc. In all cases, the practitioner must submit an estimate. On average, here are the prices observed:

• Bonded dental bridge: between 700 and 1200 €
• Bridge on implant: between 700 and 1200 €
• Bridge on crown or inlay-core: between 1200 and 2000 €
• Crown: between 500 and 1500 € per crown