If you are missing a tooth or a number of teeth, you may have several alternative options to consult with your dentist. There are many benefits of using dental bridges and there are many factors including costs that must be considered before deciding to have dental bridges in Turkey.
A bridge may be recommended if one or more teeth are missing. The gaps left by the missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to turn into empty spaces, resulting in a C-appearance of the teeth. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Bridges are usually used to replace one or more missing teeth, where the bridge is built in the empty spaces where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural or implanted teeth surrounding the empty space.
These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. Your dentist can help you decide what to use based on the location and function of the missing tooth, and aesthetic and cost considerations. Porcelain bridges can match the color of your natural teeth.
What is the process of installing dental bridges?
A dental bridge is a type of fixed dental bridge that eliminates the gap between teeth. If you have lost a tooth or two due to decay or as a result of an accident, a bridge can make your smile full again. In the event that you missed more than two consecutive years in the same row, the bridge that supports dental implants may be a good option later.
Dental bridges come in a variety of materials and finishes. Bridges made of metal are usually the cheapest option, but they have a clear and noticeable disadvantage when looking at them that they do not look like natural teeth.
As for bridges made of porcelain and porcelain, when made well, they look just like natural teeth. Therefore, its cost is much higher due to the materials used in manufacturing and the laboratory work that it involves.
A solution that balances cost and appearance is a ceramic or porcelain bridge fused to a metal base. This type of bridge may lose its aesthetic appearance over time and may not be as strong as pure ceramic. The best dental bridge material you choose will depend on your budget and the position of your teeth.
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Types of dental bridges in Turkey
Conventional dental bridges use adjacent teeth as anchors for the prosthesis. There are two ways to fit a bridge to existing teeth: fixed bridges and bond bridges.
Fixed bridges
A fixed bridge is the most common type of dental bridge that provides a strong and permanent way to replace one or two adjacent teeth.
The prosthesis used for a fixed bridge consists of a crown on either side and one or two false teeth in the middle. Dental crowns are hollow and fitted to the adjacent teeth to secure the bridge in the designated place.
In order for crowns to fit properly, the retained teeth must be trimmed and sawn back to their original size as part of the dental bridge procedure. These two teeth need to be strong enough to support the bridge and the extra stress from biting and gnawing.
Dentists may perform a root canal treatment on an installed tooth before removing the necessary amount of enamel.
After preparing the fixed teeth, the next step in the dental bridge process is to take a dental imprint. This imprint is sent to the laboratory where your dental bridge is made to measure and measure accurately. Meanwhile, your dentist may provide a temporary bridge to protect exposed teeth and gums.
Once the permanent bridge is ready, the dentist will place it in your mouth and ask you to test how it feels. If you are happy with the fit your dentist will secure it in place with a strong denture adhesive. Sometimes more visits are required to improve compatibility but not always.
The main drawback of a fixed dental bridge is having to sacrifice two healthy teeth. If you later decide to replace the bridge with dental implants, the adjacent teeth will need crowns because the removal of the enamel is permanent.
You also have to take special care when cleaning and flossing around your bridge. You can use flushing with water to make the process faster, easier, and more effective.
Apart from that the fixed bridge is a strong and durable solution. If you choose a dental bridge made of ceramic or porcelain, no one will be able to detect that the teeth are not natural.
Conventional dental bridges
Traditional bridges are the most popular type of dental bridge. These bridges consist of one or more false teeth held in place by dental crowns. Dental crowns are also called abutments and are anchored to the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth.
Traditional bridges can be used when you have natural teeth on either side of the gap caused by the missing teeth. Traditional bridges are strong enough to replace molars, but the downside to traditional bridges is that your dentist will need to prepare the adjacent teeth by removing their enamel to make room for the crowns to be cemented on top. Because the enamel does not grow back, these teeth will always need to be protected with a crown, even if you choose a different type of bridge later.
Anterior dental bridges
A dental bridge for the front teeth may require crowns on both sides because the bite pressure on the front incisors is too great.
If you have lost one or more front teeth or have been told that you need to have them extracted your dentist will be able to advise you on the best type of front tooth bridge.
Maryland Bridge
When there is only one tooth to replace, your dentist may prepare a Maryland bridge.
Instead of being attached to adjacent teeth with crowns, this type of bridge has metal or ceramic wings on each side that attach to the inner edge of adjacent teeth.
A Maryland bridge has the advantage of preserving healthy adjacent teeth. The main downside is that it will not be as strong as a fixed bridge. Over time, the adhesive holding it in place can weaken, causing the bridge to break or fall apart.
With any type of dental bridge it is only the crown of the tooth that is being replaced. However, the root remains absent and this can cause the jawbone to retract over time.
In the long run, this may cause sagging of the face, so if you choose to get dental implants at a later date, you may need bone implants first. This is indeed a major dental bridge problem that patients need to be aware of.
Comparison of dental bridges with dental implants
Bridges, implants, and dentures are all dental solutions to replace missing teeth. Each offers advantages and disadvantages over the others which we have summarized below. However, the best way to determine what is right for you is to have a consultation with your dentist.
Dental implants
Dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone at the root site of the tooth. Dental implants are usually made of titanium which is a very strong material that is compatible with our bodies and this means that there should be no allergic reaction or rejection to the implant.
The abutment is attached to the dental implant, and this is what holds the replacement tooth crown in place.
The main benefits of dental implants over bridges are:
- It does not affect adjacent teeth
- Dental implants are a permanent solution and can last a lifetime
- It is easier to maintain good oral hygiene with dental implants to have less chance of developing cavities and gum disease.
- It also helps maintain the structure of the jaw bone and the shape of the face
On the downside, dental implants require some surgery and are much more expensive than a dental bridge. If you factor in the cost, age, and inappropriateness of replacing your dental bridge though, the implant may work out as a good long-term investment.
Treatment time is another consideration for some patients. The traditional implant placement process takes several months, as the dental implant needs time to settle and fuse with the bone before the abutment and crown can be connected. For some patients, this period is too long to wait, so a dental bridge is the best solution.
If you have lost a tooth due to trauma or accident, you may need additional recovery time before starting the dental implant process.
Dental implant supported bridges
For patients who are missing several teeth in a row or whose remaining teeth are not healthy enough to be used as retainers, bridge implants may be an option. Dentists can place implants instead of fixing teeth and then prepare a bridge that is made of two crowns and one or two false teeth over it.
This option is more cost effective than replacing each tooth with an individual implant as fewer implants are used.
Dentures
Most people think of dentures as false or false teeth. It consists of one or more false teeth in a frame made of plastic and metal that rotates around the existing teeth. And the versatility of the prostheses means they can be made to fit around any number of remaining healthy teeth. People who have lost all their teeth can get a full set of dentures.
Although dentures are the most common and affordable option when it comes to replacing missing teeth, they are also the least convenient to live with. Patients who wear dentures must be careful about what they eat because some foods can dislodge or damage dentures.
Although you can brush your teeth normally while wearing partial dentures, you will sometimes have to remove them for a special cleaning. On the other hand, full dentures should be removed and left in the cleaning solution overnight, to ensure that they are well cleaned and sterilized.
Because of the way our mouths change over time, especially when teeth are missing, dentures may only last for a few years before they need to be replaced. If dentures are not replaced they can become uncomfortable and cause mouth ulcers. Also, dentures can slip out while you are talking.
Comparison of dental replacement options in Turkey
Here is a comparison table of the tooth replacement options described above:
| Processes | Dental bridges | Dental implants and dental crowns | Dentures |
| permanence | It is fixed to the adjacent teeth and is not removable | It is implanted into the jawbone and fixed in place | Transportable |
| duration of stay | From 5-15 years and possibly longer | 20 years or older | 5-10 years, maybe even longer |
| Comforts | Like natural teeth if they are well fitted | Like natural teeth | It may become loose over time and cause discomfort |
| The appearance | They look like natural teeth except for metal | Similar to natural teeth | It may look industrial as the metal clasp can be visible |
| Function | Like natural teeth | Like natural teeth | Certain foods should be avoided and removed for cleaning |
| the cost | Average from 2000-2500 | Only special and high cost | Average from 1500-2000 |
| Pros and Cons | It requires removing the enamel from some of the adjacent teeth | The surgery carries a small risk of infection | They can slip out of place and are easy to become loose or damaged when removed |
Again remember, the best way to determine which solution is right for you is to have a consultation with your dentist.
The cost of dental bridge operations in Turkey
Of course, dental bridge costs depend on the materials used and the type of bridge chosen, in addition to the dentist’s fee for consultation and installation. And you can communicate with any medical center regarding your cost, which will be determined after informing them of your medical condition through your private medical file.
The dentist will certainly need to examine your mouth and the condition of your remaining teeth before confirming your treatment plan and providing a final cost estimate.
There are many variables that can affect the cost of dental bridges, including:
- The number of teeth needed to fill the space
- Materials used such as composite resin, zircon or a mixture of metal covered with resin
- The difficulty and complexity of laying bridges
- Additional treatments for other dental problems such as gum disease
- Geographical location
Costs also depend on the type of dental bridge you select:
- Traditional or cantilever bridges usually cost $2,000-$5,000 for a single false tooth and crown for each abutment tooth.
- Maryland bridges usually cost $1,500-$2,500 for a single false tooth with the frame or wings attached to the dental abutment.
- An implant-supported bridge can cost $5,000-$15,000 for a bridge with two dental implants covering three or four teeth.
One way to save money on dental bridges especially if you are getting dental implants is to go to Turkey for treatment. Dental and other dental care costs can be 50-70% lower in countries such as Hungary, Poland, and Turkey. But the lowest cost and highest quality you will find in Turkey. The level of care there is often greater than what I am used to.
Is there a need to replace the missing tooth?
With all these options to choose from, it might seem easier to do nothing at all and live with a gap in your mouth, especially if it’s towards the back where no one can see the missing tooth.
However, there are several reasons why it is not preferable to ignore the problem:
- It is difficult to eat with missing teeth
- The surrounding teeth will be subject to additional pressure and wear
- There is a higher risk of gum disease
- This may affect the way you speak
- The supporting jawbone will deteriorate over time and the facial muscles may sag.
So it is a good idea to replace your missing tooth to avoid such problems. And in order to be able to enjoy your life, whether in eating food and the aesthetic appearance of your teeth when smiling, and also avoiding disturbances in the pronunciation of speech while talking to others.
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