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A missing tooth can affect your appearance, oral health, and self-esteem. Missing a single tooth is enough to initiate a series of changes in your mouth that can result in different oral issues. Fortunately, this can be easily solved with the help of a zirconia bridge.
This type of restoration offers a long-lasting solution. It fills that empty place left by a missing tooth while also helping you eat, speak, and smile normally.
Also, zirconia properties surpass those of traditional porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) bridges. Therefore, turning this type of restoration into an ideal solution.
As the name implies, it is a dental bridge made entirely of a ceramic named zirconia. This means that this bridge is free of metal. However, it is essential to understand two basic concepts: dental crown and dental bridge.
A dental bridge is a type of prosthetic restoration available for patients who have lost one or multiple teeth. It is used to replace those missing teeth while being aesthetic and comfortable.
A dental bridge consists of at least 3 dental crowns fixed together. Normally, it would be one crown that sits on top of the empty space, one crown in front of it, and a crown behind it. The latter crowns are placed on top of the tooth in front and behind the empty space. Although this is the most basic or traditional dental bridge configuration, different cases might require different configurations.
Meanwhile, a dental crown is a type of prosthetic restoration that covers a tooth entirely. It acts as a cap that looks exactly like a natural tooth, both in color and shape.
Zirconia bridges are bonded to the teeth next to the space where a tooth is lost. Therefore, once bonded, they can only be removed by a dentist.
Zirconia is a type of ceramic that has become widely used and popular in dentistry. It is obtained after zirconium undergoes different chemical processes. Although Zirconium is a metal, most of its metallic atoms are lost during these chemical processes, leaving behind the ceramic material.
One of the biggest benefits of zirconia is its resistance to fracture. Zirconia is an incredibly tough material capable of withstanding strong forces. This makes a zirconia bridge ideal to replace posterior teeth since they sustain heavier biting forces.
Another outstanding property of zirconia is its color. Zirconia is white, making it easy to blend with the other teeth in your mouth. Zirconia comes in different white tones, allowing the dentist and dental lab technician to design a bridge that matches your teeth to perfection.
Getting a zirconia bridge is a relatively quick process, but it involves several steps. This usually takes a couple of appointments.
The dentist needs to thoroughly evaluate and plan your case to ensure the success of the treatment. On your first appointment, your dentist takes some X-rays and clinically examines your bite and the teeth that will support the bridge. During this planning phase, the dentist determines the color for the zirconia bridge and might take a digital scan or traditional impression of your teeth.
The dentist proceeds to prepare the teeth once the planning is done. To do so, the dentist shaves down the teeth that will support the bridge using the handpiece. If necessary, anesthesia can be used to prevent discomfort or sensitivity. Nonetheless, this might not be necessary if the teeth have a root canal treatment done.
Once the teeth have been prepared, the dentist takes a dental impression with a putty or a digital scan. This is then delivered to a dental lab so the technician can manufacture the bridge. You might need to wait a few days before the dental lab delivers the bridge back to the dental office.
You can't leave the dentist’s office without getting a provisional bridge beforehand. Right after preparing the teeth and taking the scan or impression, the dentist provides you with a provisional bridge. This is usually made of acrylic and simulates what the real zirconia bridge will be like. This provisional bridge protects the prepped teeth and helps you to eat and speak normally. Furthermore, they are also designed to blend with your other teeth so no one notices you're missing a tooth or wearing a provisional restoration.
The dental laboratory designs the zirconia bridge on a computer using special software. Afterward, a milling machine automatically carves the bridge out of a block of zirconia. Lastly, the technician gives some finishing touches and delivers it to the dentist's office.
Once the dentist receives the zirconia bridge, it is possible to proceed to the final steps. The dentist simply replaces the provisional bridge with the zirconia one. If needed, small adjustments might be made so the bridge fits perfectly and feels comfortable when you bite.
How Much Does a Zirconia Bridge Cost in Turkey?
The cost of a zirconia bridge in Turkey can vary depending on the patient’s needs and the clinic. One of the main factors that determines the price is the number of units or crowns the bridge is made of.
On average, the cost of a single zirconia crown in Turkey ranges between ₺2,500 and ₺7,000. Therefore, a 3-unit zirconia bridge can cost around ₺7,500 to ₺21,000.
Prices may also vary depending on the dentist’s experience, the equipment used, the digital technologies applied, and the expertise of the dental laboratory. However, the total treatment cost is usually discussed in detail with the patient during the initial consultation and planning phase.
The overall lifespan of a well-made zirconia bridge is usually between 10 and 25 years. However, its longevity is deeply tied to several aspects.
Oral hygiene is a key element that affects the duration of a zirconia bridge. It is essential to understand that the teeth supporting the bridge are still susceptible to cavities and gum disease. If these teeth suffer any damage, the integrity and/or duration of the bridge can be compromised. For this reason, patients with zirconia bridges must practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Regular check-ups with the dentist every 6 months are also necessary to ensure there are no problems with the bridge.
What you eat also affects the duration of the bridge. Although zirconia bridges are highly resistant to fracture, they are not indestructible. Biting something extremely hard or using the bridge as a tool to cut or open stuff can fracture it, especially if the bridge is on the front teeth. Moreover, it might even fracture the natural teeth supporting it.
Nonetheless, basic care can be enough to prolong the bridge’s lifespan to its maximum. In some cases, the bridge might even last more than 25 years before requiring a replacement.
Dentists use special cements that bond strongly to the teeth. This makes it impossible for a patient to remove a zirconia bridge on their own. When it is necessary to remove it, the dentist has different options.
The most common way is cutting it apart using the handpiece and a diamond bur. After carefully drilling a canal across the bridge, the dentist is able to split the pieces apart and separate them from the underlying teeth.
However, the dentist might also attempt to use an ultrasonic device. The vibration can cause the cement to separate from the tooth and dislodge the bridge. Nonetheless, this method is not always effective. Lastly, some special lasers can dissolve the cement through the bridge without cutting it.
Fortunately, it is rarely necessary to remove a zirconia bridge.
A zirconia bridge is an outstanding solution for people who are looking to replace one or multiple missing teeth. Not only are they incredibly strong and durable, but they are also highly aesthetic. Since a zirconia bridge is made entirely of ceramic, there is no metal or any gray element that could compromise its visual aspect. Therefore, they blend perfectly with your smile and go unnoticed.
Also, zirconia bridges are highly comfortable since they are permanently bonded to the teeth. Therefore, they feel natural and won't fall out on their own.
Lastly, the process to get one is relatively quick and simple. Just a couple of dental appointments are usually enough to get your zirconia bridge and regain your bright smile.
