Bridge (dentistry)

A bridge is a denture that its support exclusively on teeth, tooth roots or dental implants - also called anchor - place. If telescopic crowns as an anchor (Synonyms: bridge piers ) used, can also be removed, such a bridge. The bridge dental prosthesis is referred to as the pillar fixing elements and the intermediate members as a bridge body to replace the missing teeth. The usability of the abutment teeth as Brückananker depends on the pillar value.

Dental background

A bridge differs significantly from a removable dental prosthesis in the masticatory function and makes it almost restores. Naturally, there are no pressure points on bridges, because the pressure of chewing not ( stored gingival ) as with a prosthesis on the gums overloaded. Transmitting the Kaudrucks into the bone as in a natural tooth is replaced by the bone as far as possible, whereas for a dental prosthesis by the transmission of the non-physiological Kaudrucks on the underlying bone, it can be damaged by irreversibly shrinks.

Is between the bridge piers, a bridge body is present, it is a einspannige bridge, several bridge body exists, it is a mehrspannige bridge ( see picture below left). In exceptional cases, a bridge member to also - will bridge piers ' attached ' - at least two. This construction is called the free-end or extension bridge. A missing molar replaced in this manner, will be omitted because of the occurring great leverage to its original width, and this bridge member reduces to premolar.

Remember Affiliated Freiendbrücke 35-37 occlusal ( in plan )

Freiendbrücke photographed with ceramic veneering, buccal, via a mirror

Dental Technology of the bridge

In most cases, there is the support part of a bridge, the bridge framework, from a gold or non-precious metal alloy ( NEM). If this is coated with a fired ceramic mass, one speaks of a veneering ceramic bridge. Through this ceramic veneering deceptively real looking and cosmetically excellent results can be achieved.

Since 2000 there are bridges made ​​of zirconia ( in technical jargon also erroneously called zircon ) and all-ceramic, which have without a metallic skeleton sufficient stability. In the complex manufacturing of these bridges, a bridge structure is composed of a ceramic block computerized milled and coated with a special ceramic compound.

Making a porcelain veneer on a bridge. The ceramic materials are stirred into pulpy consistency and applied with a brush.

In order to achieve sufficient stability, the ceramic material is dried in between. Because the individual color nuances are hard to distinguish, the ceramic materials are dyed with an organic fabric - pink here, which completely disappears during the firing process.

Done fired ceramic veneering palatal; nor is the surface rough - it follows the final glaze firing.

Done fired ceramic veneering vestibular.