A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by spanning the gap and attaching to adjacent natural teeth or implants. The bridge consists of two crowns for the anchoring teeth and a false tooth, called a pontic. While the traditional process involves multiple appointments over weeks, new technology allows for single-day options. The feasibility of a custom-made bridge in one day depends on the technology available and the complexity of the case.
The Standard Multi-Visit Procedure
The conventional method requires two to three appointments over a few weeks. The initial visit focuses on preparing the abutment teeth, the natural teeth adjacent to the gap that will support the bridge. A small amount of enamel is removed to ensure the final crowns fit securely.
Following preparation, the dentist takes a physical impression, or mold, using a putty-like material. This impression is sent to an off-site dental laboratory for custom bridge fabrication. Since this external process takes two to three weeks, a temporary bridge is cemented over the prepared teeth to protect them and maintain function.
The final appointment occurs once the permanent bridge returns from the lab. The dentist removes the temporary restoration and checks the bridge for proper fit, bite alignment, and color match. After adjustments, the permanent bridge is cemented onto the prepared teeth. Reliance on the external lab prevents completion in one day.
Technology Enabling Same-Day Bridges
Delivering a permanent bridge in a single visit relies on integrating advanced digital technologies into the dental office workflow. This approach eliminates sending physical molds to an external lab.
The process begins with an intraoral scanner, which replaces traditional putty impressions. This handheld device captures data points to create an accurate, three-dimensional digital model of the prepared teeth and surrounding structures.
The digital impression is transferred to Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, where the dentist designs the final prosthetic. The software allows for precise adjustments to the bridge’s shape and bite. Once finalized, the data is sent to an in-office Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) unit, or milling machine.
The milling unit sculpts the custom bridge from a solid block of high-quality ceramic or zirconia. This chairside fabrication takes 20 to 30 minutes, compressing a multi-week laboratory process into a few hours. The final milled bridge is polished, glazed, and then cemented during the same appointment.
Patient Suitability and Material Limitations
While same-day technology offers convenience, it is not universally applicable, and patient suitability must be assessed. Same-day bridges are best suited for smaller restorations, typically replacing one or two missing teeth. More extensive bridges, or those subject to high chewing forces, often require the specialized equipment of a traditional lab.
A patient’s underlying oral health is a major determinant for candidacy. The adjacent anchor teeth must be strong and healthy to support the restoration. Pre-existing conditions like severe gum disease, decay, or insufficient bone density must be treated first, necessitating multiple appointments and preventing single-day completion.
The materials used in chairside milling present a limitation compared to some lab-fabricated options. Same-day bridges are often made from ceramic or high-strength resin blocks, providing excellent aesthetics and durability. However, traditional materials like porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) bridges offer superior strength for high-stress posterior areas. PFM restorations require complex firing and layering processes that cannot be replicated by an in-office milling machine.