Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why a Low-Cost Tooth Bridge Is Tempting
- What Can Go Wrong With a Budget Tooth Bridge
- What is a zirconia dental crown?
- Zirconia vs Budget Materials: A Practical Comparison
- How Crowns and Bridges Should Be Done Right
- Questions to Ask Before Getting a Tooth Bridge
- Caring for Your Restoration
- Conclusion
- Contact Us
Introduction
When a tooth is lost it quickly becomes a priority to replace it. You want to be able to eat comfortably, speak without any problems and just feel at ease when you smile. A tooth bridge is one of the most common ways of replacing a missing tooth and you’ll find them at every price point in Dubai. The thing that many patients eventually find out is that not all tooth bridges are created equal. Going for the cheapest bridge available can in fact end up with you having to pay more and having to come back to the dentist at a later date. This article looks at what you need to be aware of when it comes to a budget tooth bridge and why zirconia dental crowns have become such a popular choice with patients in Dubai.
Why a Low-Cost Tooth Bridge Is Tempting
The cost of dental treatment in Dubai varies enormously. If you’re looking at prices and one clinic is offering a tooth bridge at a fraction of the price of the others then of course you’re going to go for the lower figure. Dental treatment is an expense that most people haven’t budgeted for and it makes perfect sense to save money.
Dental restorations are quite different from your average purchase. The length of time your tooth bridge will last and how well it works is going to be affected by the materials used, the skill of the dentist and the quality of the laboratory work. A lower price may well be the result of one or more of those factors being compromised.
What Can Go Wrong With a Budget Tooth Bridge
A poorly made or fitted tooth bridge can lead to a number of problems. If the fit is off then gaps will occur between the bridge and the gum line. Food gets trapped in those gaps and this can lead to decay of the supporting teeth (the very teeth which are responsible for holding your tooth bridge in place). If those teeth are damaged in that way the bridge may have to be done all over again.
Material quality is another consideration. Some of the lower cost bridges will use alloys which may corrode over time or which may not be suitable for people with sensitivities. The porcelain on the more economical bridges will also be more prone to chipping and wearing down, leaving behind a rough edge which can irritate the tongue and cheeks.
Colour matching is also something to bear in mind. A bridge made from a lower grade of material may look perfectly fine at first but can change shade quite dramatically within months and end up looking different from your other teeth.
What Is a Zirconia Dental Crown?
A zirconia dental crown is a restoration made from zirconium dioxide (a ceramic) and has been used in dentistry for many years. It’s a crown which covers a damaged or weakened tooth and restores it to its original shape and function. The key thing about zirconia is that it has the strength of a metal restoration and the aesthetics of a natural tooth.
When it’s used in a tooth bridge zirconia is the material for both the abutment crowns and the pontic (the replacement tooth). You end up with a single piece of restoration which is all one piece and looks and performs as a single unit.
Zirconia vs Budget Materials: A Practical Comparison
Strength is where zirconia really shines. A zirconia crown can take the biting forces that would crack lower grade ceramics. That’s obviously important for a bridge as it’s the component that is going to be bearing the load every time you bite down. The cheaper materials will last for a period of time but you’ll tend to see the signs of wear much sooner.
Appearance is another area where the difference is very obvious. Zirconia has a translucency that’s very much like natural tooth enamel and it will retain its shade. The cheaper bridge materials on the market tend to be quite flat and opaque and they will stain more readily.
Biocompatibility is also an issue. Zirconia is generally very well tolerated by the gums and this helps to reduce the incidence of inflammation around the crowns and bridges. Some of the cheaper metals can lead to recession of the gums and/or darkening of the gums at the margins.
How Crowns and Bridges Should Be Done Right
A good tooth bridge starts with a proper assessment. Your dentist will look at the state of the teeth that are going to be supporting the bridge, the condition of your gums and the way your bite comes together before they will even consider recommending crowns and bridges. Digital impressions have largely superseded the old fashioned moulds in many of the Dubai clinics. The labs are then given a much more accurate ‘map’ of your teeth to work from.
The abutment teeth need to be prepared accurately. Too much or too little tooth structure removed will have an impact on the way the zirconia crown sits on the anchor teeth and the way the tooth bridge will function over time. The fitting appointment when the crowns and bridges are finally completed should include a full check of the bite, the margins at the gum line and the colour match against your natural teeth.
Taking shortcuts in any of those steps to cut costs is generally where the problems start.
Questions to Ask Before Getting a Tooth Bridge
Before you go ahead and have a tooth bridge, ask your dentist a few questions. What material will the crowns and bridges be made from? Is the lab work being done by a lab with good quality controls? How long should the tooth bridge be expected to last with normal care? What sort of follow up visits will be required?
A dentist who knows their crowns and bridges are of a good standard will be able to give you straight, clear answers. If the answers are anything other than that then that’s something to bear in mind.
Caring for Your Restoration
Once your zirconia crown or tooth bridge is in place the care is pretty straightforward. Brush twice a day, floss around and under the bridge (using a floss threader or water flosser), and of course see your dentist for your regular check-ups. Crowns and bridges require the same level of care as natural teeth and good habits will go a long way to ensuring they last as long as possible irrespective of the material.
Be very mindful of hard foods indeed (chewing on ice, cracking nuts etc.) as this can damage both your natural teeth and your restored teeth. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth at night then a night guard will help protect your zirconia crown and your tooth bridge from the extra wear.
Conclusion
A tooth bridge is only as good as the materials and the work that goes into it. The cheaper option may look attractive in terms of initial outlay but the cost of having to go back for further appointments, modifications or replacements can add up over time. A zirconia crown is the kind of crown that has the durability, the aesthetics and the biocompatibility that a tooth bridge requires in order to be a successful long term solution. When it comes to crowns and bridges you’re absolutely right to invest in quality materials and a good dental team.
Contact Us
Good dental care starts with trust and at Magnum Dental Clinic we build that trust through open and honest discussion about your treatment options. We’re more than happy to go through your crowns and bridges options with you and ensure you’re completely at ease throughout the process. We’d love to see you.
Magnum Dental Clinic – JVC
Arcadia Tower, Shop 2, Beside CART Supermarket, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 50 719 3374
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