A fixed bridge is a permanent dental restoration designed to replace one or more missing teeth. It bridges the gap in a patient’s smile, restoring appearance and functionality. Cemented into place, this type of bridge is not removable. Fixed bridges offer a natural-looking, long-term solution, helping to prevent remaining teeth from shifting and restoring the ability to chew and speak normally.
Understanding Abutment Teeth
Fixed dental bridges rely on specific, healthy teeth for support, known as “abutment teeth,” which serve as the primary support for the bridge. Abutment teeth are the natural teeth located adjacent to the gap where teeth are missing. The bridge’s artificial tooth or teeth, called pontics, are connected to crowns cemented onto these abutment teeth. Abutment teeth bear the forces normally absorbed by the missing teeth, in addition to their usual chewing loads. Dental implants can also serve as abutment structures, providing a stable base for the bridge.
Factors for Selecting Supporting Teeth
Dentists assess several factors to determine if a tooth is suitable as an abutment, including its overall health, ensuring it is free from significant decay or infection. The strength of its root and surrounding bone structure are also considered, as these provide stability to withstand chewing forces. Teeth with multiple roots, such as molars, offer greater stability and are preferred as abutments due to stronger bone implantation. Conversely, single-rooted teeth like incisors are weaker abutments. The tooth’s position in the mouth and its ability to handle the additional chewing load transmitted through the bridge are also evaluated.
How Different Bridge Types Utilize Support
Fixed bridge types employ distinct support mechanisms based on their design. A traditional fixed bridge, the most common type, typically utilizes two natural teeth, one on each side of the gap, as abutments. Dental crowns are placed over these prepared adjacent teeth, securely holding the artificial tooth or pontic in between.
A cantilever bridge receives support from teeth on only one side of the missing tooth. This design is used when healthy natural teeth are available on just one side of the gap.
For a Maryland, or resin-bonded, bridge, metal or porcelain wings are bonded to the back surfaces of adjacent teeth, which then support the pontic. This method requires minimal tooth preparation compared to traditional bridges, as it does not involve placing crowns over the abutment teeth.