Dental bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace missing teeth, restoring both the function and aesthetics of the smile.
 
Dental bridges

Excellence in every smile

When is a dental bridge made?

A dental bridge is made when a patient loses one or more teeth and the gap between the remaining teeth needs to be filled. This restores chewing function, prevents neighbouring teeth from shifting, and improves the appearance of the smile.
 
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Why is it important to replace a missing tooth?

Replacing a missing tooth is essential for maintaining oral health and overall function of the mouth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift toward the empty space, leading to bite irregularities and difficulty chewing. Tooth loss can also cause jawbone atrophy in the affected area, as the bone is no longer stimulated by the tooth root. Over time, this weakens the jaw’s structure.
 
From an aesthetic perspective, a visible gap, especially in the front of the mouth, can affect confidence and communication. Replacing the missing tooth with an implant, bridge, or denture restores both function and appearance while preventing further complications. Timely replacement also reduces the risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems that may develop due to misaligned bite forces. ​In this way, not only is oral health improved, but overall quality of life as well.
 
By restoring balance in the dental arch, a replacement allows proper distribution of chewing pressure, protecting remaining teeth from overloading. It also helps prevent speech difficulties that can arise after tooth loss.
 
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Dental bridge or dental implant?

The main difference between replacing a tooth with a dental bridge versus a dental implant lies in the method of restoration and its long-term impact on surrounding teeth and jawbone. A dental bridge relies on neighbouring teeth for support, meaning those adjacent teeth must be filed down to anchor the bridge. In contrast, a dental implant is an independent replacement that is surgically placed into the jawbone without affecting surrounding teeth.

An implant offers long-term stability by replacing the tooth root, which helps preserve the jawbone and prevents bone loss. With a bridge, there is no root replacement, so the bone under the missing tooth can begin to deteriorate over time. Implants also provide a more natural feel and greater stability when chewing, while bridges may be more sensitive when eating harder foods.

Additionally, dental implants often have greater longevity than bridges. While a bridge may last 10-15 years, implants can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene. However, implant placement is more invasive and involves a surgical procedure, while bridges can be completed more quickly and with less intervention. The final choice between a bridge and an implant depends on the patient’s specific needs, the condition of their teeth and bone, and the desired aesthetic and functional outcome.
 

Why choose Centrodent for a dental bridge?

At Centrodent, every patient receives a quality booklet with detailed information about the materials used in their prosthetic work, along with a fiscal receipt for all services, because we believe transparency is essential to building trust.
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  • Comprehensive diagnostic

    Detailed diagnostics are essential for creating a dental bridge as they ensure assessment of the adjacent teeth, which must be healthy and stable enough to support the bridge, and enable precise planning for long-term functionality and aesthetics.
  • Material selection

    We select the material for the dental bridge based on the patient's individual case. The fact that zirconia crowns are more expensive doesn’t automatically mean they are the best option for every situation.
  • Therapy planning

    When designing a dental bridge, we consider the number of crowns involved and carefully assess whether there are enough supporting teeth. Without proper support, the bridge may lack stability and potentially damage the abutment teeth.

Stages of dental bridge placement

The abutment teeth are gently shaped to create the proper form and space for placing the dental bridge.

These supporting teeth are prepared under local anaesthesia, ensuring that the patient feels no pain during the procedure.

If the abutment teeth are damaged, they may require treatment or post-and-core buildup to provide adequate support.

An impression is then taken to create an accurate model. At Centrodent, we use a digital scanner for this step, which allows for greater precision and comfort.

While the permanent bridge is being made in the laboratory, a temporary dental bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain aesthetics.

The fabrication of the permanent bridge typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.

In some cases - especially when the abutment teeth have undergone treatment - we may wait longer, sometimes up to 6 months, to monitor how the teeth respond to therapy before placing the final dental bridge.
 

The dental bridge is temporarily placed on the abutment teeth to check its stability, functionality, and overall appearance.

The dentist evaluates how well the bridge fits into the bite, as well as its colour and shape, and makes any necessary adjustments before final cementation.
 

After the trial fitting, the dental bridge is permanently secured in place using dental cement.

Common questions about dental bridges

The price of a dental bridge depends on several factors, the most important being the material used, the number of units in the bridge, and the expertise of the dentist.

The material has a major impact on the final cost. The two main options are:

Metal-ceramic dental bridge - combines a metal substructure with a ceramic outer layer, offering strength and satisfactory aesthetics.

Zirconia dental bridge - made from a zirconium oxide base and layered ceramic, this type offers superior aesthetics and durability.

The number of crowns that make up the bridge also affects the total price. Each unit represents one dental crown, and these are fused into a single structure. The more units in the bridge, the higher the cost due to the increased material and lab work involved.

When choosing a dental bridge, it’s important not to focus solely on price. Factors such as the dentist’s ability to prepare the abutment teeth in parallel, treat caries, take precise impressions, and correctly cement the crowns are all crucial for long-term success.

Most importantly, every step of the process must strictly follow professional standards.

Patients often focus on before-and-after photos, overlooking the most critical phase - the work in between. It is this process that ensures the quality, functionality, and longevity of the dental bridge.

What our patients say about us

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stomatolog u Rijeci preporuke

Vera O.

81, Rijeka
I am truly grateful and impressed with the care and professionalism I received. Even at my age, I learned so much from you. I’ve never felt this satisfied after a dental visit, and I wholeheartedly recommend others to come and see the quality of your work for themselves.
ordinacija dentalne medicine iskustva

Tilda

49, Kastav
I have periodontitis, and scaling has always been painful for me in the past. Here, I didn’t shed a single tear. The dentist was amazing - I would recommend her without hesitation.
zubari u Rijeci iskustva

Vanja L.

61, Kastav
A big thank you to the entire Centrodent team for their kindness and professional care. Special thanks to Dr Željka Miculinić, who always manages to ease the discomfort (and fear) of going to the dentist, and for her patience with a demanding patient. Warm regards to the whole team.
stomatološka ordinacija u Rijeci preporuke

Vesna Š.

53, Rijeka
The staff is kind, and the dentist has the ability to solve the unsolvable in order to save and restore teeth.

Excellence in every smile

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