The two most recommended options nowadays are bridges and implants, and they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge attaches a pontic (a false tooth) to abutment teeth (the neighboring teeth). A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement crown. 

This means that this type of bridge requires you to have two or more dental appointments. During the first appointment your dentist ‘prepares’ the abutments (the neighboring teeth). This involves cutting the abutments down considerably so that the bridge can be fitted on them. When the preparation is done, a dental impression is taken and sent to a laboratory where a dental technician makes a custom made bridge. At the second appointment, your dentist attaches the bridge to the abutments. 

Disadvantages of conventional bridges:

- they are invasive – they harm neighboring teeth
- they can’t be easily repaired*
- they require more than one dentist appointment


*According to the American Dental Association, the average lifespan of these bridges is just 10.1 years. When they fail, only about 18% of them can be repaired.

After your dentist inserts the implant, a certain amount of healing time is required before a crown (or a bridge or denture) is attached. In some cases the healing period is fairly short, in others it can last several months. During this period, a temporary prosthesis is the best solution to go through the healing period without an unsightly gap in your mouth. Dentapreg is a good solution to such a temporary replacement if your goal is to choose a bridge that does not damage the neighboring teeth, is fast, inexpensive and painless. The best non-invasive solution is an adhesive bridge, also known as a Maryland Bridge or resin-retained bridge, which can be easily made by your dentist or in cooperation with your dentist's laboratory. Ask your dentist about the possibility to use Dentapreg PFM as a temporary bridge during your implant healing period.

 
Even though dental implants are becoming the preferable option in many clinical situations, they are not for everyone. Many patients reject implants due to the high cost or the fear of surgery. Also, implants are not suitable for certain age groups (e.g. young children), or because of a specific clinical situation, for example, when the jaw bone is too thin. In such cases, an adhesive bridge presents a cost-saving, non-invasive alternative to implants. 

Dentapreg PFM and PFU are high-quality materials for fabrication of adhesive dental bridges. They are non-invasive and look simply great as the glass fibers with resin look very much like a natural tooth. They are fast to make and can be fabricated either by a dentist or in a lab. They can also be easily repaired and can be used as a temporary or a permanent solution. Dentapreg bridges are an ideal solution if you need to replace a tooth quickly due to injury, using a prefabricated or your natural tooth or when implants or conventional bridges are just not the right solution for you. Ask your dentist about the suitable Dentapreg solution.