Bridge treatment clinical stages and process insight:

There are nine processes to follow to achieve a perfect dental bridge treatment.

1. Assessment : This initial step involves clinical evaluation for patients compatibility for a successfull bridge implementation. Dentist will ascertain the patients past and present Oral conditions and his suitability for the procedure.
2. Primary Impressions: These can be taken with alginate to make study cast.
3. Diagnostic Wax model: The wax model is a sample model of the actual bridge and helps patient visualize how his prosthesis will look.
4. Tooth Preperation: The tooth preparation process is carried out with reference to the patients X-ray and study casts. This procedure aims at conserving tooth tissue, guarantees a parallel track of insertion and ensures adequate margins post fit. The taper of each preparation on the abutment teeth must be identical. This facilitate a perfect fit of the bridge on the abutment teeth.
5. Master Impression: An impression of the opposite arch along with the prepared teeth must be accurately taken. This forms the Master casts which are used to accurately measure the occlusion and facilitate the lab in making the prosthetic.
6. Occlusion registration: This process is required only if a large number of bridges are to be developed.
7. Temporary Restoration: These are temporary alternatives made to protect the abutment teeth till the final bridge cap is ready.
8. Trial: This process confirm the fit and acceptability by the patient before permenant fix. Identification of any fitment issues and resolution to a perfect fit is ensured.
9. Final fix: Once the client is satisfied with the fit and feel of the prosthesis the bridge is permanently cemented

Types of Bridges

Conventional bridge

These type of bridges require abutment of teeth on which the bridge caps would rest and are usually supported by full coverage crowns. The naming convention on these type of bridge depends on the way the false teeth will attach with the retainer. A few types are as below-

• Fixed-fixed bridge
• Cantilever
• Fixed-Movable
• Adhesive bridge
• Hybrid bridge

Material specific

Bridges are characterised by two types Metallic and Non-Metallic

1. Metal based bridges use noble metals such as Gold or base metal alloys such as Nickel or Chromium.
2. Non metallic bridges use a combination of resins or fiber-reinforced composites, porcelain amalgamated to metal or use of ceramics which are formed from Silica, Alluminium or Zirconia.