Making a Decision to Get a Bonded Bridge
When a tooth is lost, it has to be replaced if you want to be able to maintain the function and aesthetics a complete set of teeth provides. When a tooth is lost, any of the functions it serves may be compromised, so if you wish not to put things in a wrong stead, you should see a dentist about having the tooth or teeth replaced with a bonded bridge.
A lost tooth may be replaced through several ways. In the general sense, there are two main types of prosthetic work, removable or fixed, with the fixed prosthesis being most popular because it is most comfortable and more reliable in terms of function and aesthetics. Removable dentures have the tendency to become loose due to continuous wear. The bone resorbs as it endures continued load from function, so the dentures become loose and uncomfortable to wear. Dental bridges rely on the strength of the tooth that supports it; the prosthesis is cemented onto the tooth, so it is fixed in the mouth and will not get dislodged by accident, like removable dentures.
A bonded bridge is a different type of dental bridge. Traditional bridges require tooth reduction. The tooth is prepared on all surfaces and checked for proper clearance from the adjacent and the opposing teeth, and an impression is taken so that a cast can be created. The cast or mould is then sent to the laboratory, so that the bridge can be fabricated. A bonded bridge is different from a dental bridge in so many ways:
- No tooth reduction is required. Traditional bridges require for the abutment or supporting teeth to carry the prosthesis so the tooth is reduced and the bridgework is fabricated on the prepared teeth. In a bonded bridge, no tooth reduction is performed because retention is achieved by the incorporation of a fiber material that links the teeth together.
- It uses different dental materials. Dental bridges are fabricated with ceramic or porcelain and may be made with metal reinforcement. Resin bonded bridges are done with composite resin and a special reinforced fiber.
- The bonded bridge is a direct restoration. You do not have to get a dental impression of the mouth. The restoration is performed inside the patient’s mouth, so the work can be completed on the same day. This may mean that more chairtime can be expected, but if you have are looking for an immediate solution for your problem, this is your best option.
- It is more affordable. Traditional dental bridges made of porcelain and ceramic, with metal reinforcement are costly. These materials are expensive, explaining the cost. Bonded bridges are constructed with composite resin, the same materials used in dental fillings. This dental material is affordable so dentists are able to offer this for a low cost.
- The procedure can be done in one seating. As already mentioned, the prosthesis is performed in the mouth so it can be done in one appointment. The patient comes in, and the bridge is made, and the patient is released.
Given the technique and the materials involved, bonded bridges are not necessarily strong enough or even truly aesthetically pleasing, but they do the job. The procedure requires no tooth reduction, so anesthetic solution is not required, and the materials used are cheap, making this a very affordable option