Gary Bram, DDS
Dental Bridge Failures
3534 Bell Blvd
Bayside NY 11361
(718) 229-3232

Porcelain Bridge Dentistry versus Metal

The Basics of Bridgework Function

Dental bridges have been a popular treatment choice for the issue of replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth. In principal, a bridge is anchored on each end by attachment to existing healthy tooth structures or by implant devices. The bridge infrastructure spans the missing tooth locations and has appropriate sized crowns attached.

Bridges can have a short span (one missing tooth) or they can have a larger span, replacing the absence of several teeth. They can be used just about anywhere... on the maxilla (upper jaw) or on the mandible (lower jaw). Bridges are functional for replacing anterior (front teeth) structures or posterior (rear teeth) structures.

Bridgework Infrastructure - The Basics

Until recently, the most common type of dental bridge was made of metal, with porcelain crowns physically attached to the metal frame work. Patients typically have a choice of porcelain grades to create whatever cosmetic and/or functional goals they have.

Bridges are sturdy and can last a long long time, given that optimal oral health is maintained by the patient. A bridge remaining serviceable for 10-15 years is not unheard of. It is also common however to hear about bridges that fail in just 2-5 years.

All Porcelain Bridges have become recently popular for cosmetic applications and have very competitive endurance features, when compared to metal. Space age fibrous materials are used for the infrastructure that almost mimics the endurance qualities of the older, metal bridge technology.

Determining Best Treatment Choice

As with everything else in dentistry.... there is no "one size fits all" type of treatment for patients. What can work well for one patient... may fail for another. The differences in the physical properties and forces operating within any area of the jaw structures influences the decision making process for making the best choice of treatment and porcelain technology.

Porcelain versus Metal

Depending on the patient, their eating habits, oral health habits, bite occlusal forces and potential for bruxism, an all metallic bridge infrastructure may be the perfect treatment for rear, posterior teeth. Biting forces are the greatest in that area. Porcelain bridgework however, has been known to succeed nonetheless for many patients replacing rear teeth.

Bad Bridge Porcelain Replacement Dentistry Bayside NY

Bad Bridge Porcelain Replacement Dentistry Bayside NY

Anterior teeth are more and more commonly treated with porcelain bridgework. Chewing and biting forces are much less and therefore do not impact the infrastructure as do posterior teeth.

An all porcelain anterior bridge eliminates the concern of metal infrastructure showing if there is minor gum recession that common occurs when we age.

Ideally, dentists who focus on cosmetic and esthetic dentistry should make available any and all proven technologies that patients can select from.. for developing the cosmetic and functional outcomes they want. Some dental practices however do not offer numerous options for treatment, for whatever reason.

Replacing an Anterior Metallic Bridge with Porcelain Infrastructure

Metal Bridge Replacement Photo Bayide Queens New York

Meet Danielle, a twenty something year old attractive female. When she presented in our office she had a history of previous treatment that included the fitting of a metallic anterior bridge on her upper right maxilla (upper jaw).

The adjacent pre-treatment close up photo shows what can happen to a bridge when certain endurance factors, porcelain grade and fabrication methods are not as good as they could be. The porcelain restorations have a yellow shade and are now showing the ugly black line or margin near the gum line.

Our young patient was about to get married and wanted to have fabulous looking teeth for her wedding. Her goals were quite simple. She wanted her teeth to be matched in size and appearance that would fit her smile and jaw structure.

All Porcelain Bridge After Photo Bayside pics

All Porcelain Bridge After Photo Bayside pics

In addition to this reshaping and resizing result she wanted to have all of her teeth be matched in color and shading that would produce a natural appearance and feel. Most importantly, she wanted to be rid of the metallic problems and the dark line phenomenon that occurs with non-premium crowns.

Dr. Bram's creative talent was put to work. Combining feldspathic porcelain crowns and custom veneers, Dr. Bram was able to create the precise appearance, feel and function the patient wanted.

Porcelain Bridge Replace Metal Bridge Bayside Photos

Porcelain Bridge Replace Metal Bridge Bayside Photos

Diagnostic Wax Up Modeling

As with all of our major restorative treatments, the use of articulators and diagnostic wax up modeling enables the patient to be involved in the final selection and fit of all restorations. Surprises (the kind we don't like) are thereby eliminated.

Critical bite and occlusal forces are monitored by Dr. Bram to assure biting forces are normalized... which helps assure long term durability.

Have a question about cosmetic bridge dentistry?

Contact Dr. Bram and his staff today at (718) 229-3232 to arrange a complimentary evaluation to learn more about informed decisions in selecting bridgework that can help you create the cosmetic result and dental function you may be missing.

Visit Dr. Bram at his new Dark Gums website and his Queens Smile Makeovers website.

Dental makeover drama for discriminating Bayside patients Crown replacement procedures for all types of tooth structures and multiple teeth arch work. Functional and cosmetic makeovers with best choice premium porcelain restorations.