Dental bridges in Antalya

How a bridge works

A bridge has two parts: the supporting teeth (or implants) on either side of the gap, which receive crowns, and the false tooth that sits on the gum between them. The most common bridge has three units and replaces one missing tooth. The parts are made in one piece and cemented, so you do not take the bridge out.

Two variants exist for special cases. A cantilever bridge is held on one side only and suits small front teeth with light biting forces. A resin-bonded bridge is glued to the back of the neighbouring teeth with a thin wing and needs very little drilling, but it comes loose more often and is used mainly for a single front tooth.

Bridge, implant bridge or single implants?

A practical rule: if the teeth next to the gap already have large fillings or crowns, a bridge costs them little extra structure. If they are healthy, a dental implant spares them. An implant-supported bridge also allows, for example, two implants to carry three teeth.

Materials: zirconia or porcelain

• Zirconia — strong and metal-free, suitable for back teeth and longer bridges. For front teeth it can be layered with porcelain for more translucency. See zirconium crowns.
• Glass-ceramic (E-max, lithium disilicate) — very natural in colour but less strong, so it is limited to short bridges in the front of the mouth.
• Porcelain fused to metal — the older standard. Strong, but the porcelain can chip and a grey line can appear at the gum over time.

Your plan states which material is used for each bridge and why.

The main disadvantage: preparing the neighbouring teeth

To make room for the crowns, about 1–2 mm of tooth is removed all round each supporting tooth. This cannot be reversed. In studies a small share of prepared teeth, roughly 5–15 % over ten years or more, later need root canal treatment because the nerve reacts. And because the bridge is one piece, a problem with one supporting tooth, such as decay or a fracture, usually means the whole bridge has to be replaced.

Other disadvantages: the bone under the false tooth continues to shrink slowly, the supporting teeth can be sensitive to cold for a few days or weeks after preparation, and porcelain layers can chip.

Your 5–7 days in Antalya

• Day 1: examination, X-ray and final plan. Any decay, root canal or gum problem in the supporting teeth is treated first.
• Day 2: preparation of the supporting teeth under local anaesthesia, digital scan and a temporary bridge.
• Day 3–5: the laboratory makes your bridge.
• Day 5–6: try-in, adjustments and cementation.
• Day 7: bite check and cleaning instructions.

A bridge on implants needs two trips: 3–5 days to place the implants and 5–7 days for the final bridge 3–6 months later, with a temporary in between where the gap is visible.

Cleaning under a bridge

Decay at the edges of the supporting crowns and gum disease are the most common reasons bridges fail, and both start with plaque under the false tooth. Every day:

• thread floss under the bridge with a floss threader, or use a thicker floss with a stiff end
• use interdental brushes at both ends of the bridge
• a water flosser helps if threading floss is difficult
• brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste

See a dentist at least once a year for a check-up, cleaning and, from time to time, an X-ray of the supporting teeth.

How long a bridge lasts and what affects the cost

A well-made bridge on healthy supporting teeth typically lasts 10–15 years, and many last longer. Daily cleaning under the bridge, a night guard if you grind your teeth and regular check-ups make the largest difference.

The cost depends on the number of units, the material, whether the bridge sits on teeth or implants, and any treatment needed first, such as root canal treatment, gum treatment or a bone graft. See prices.