TYPICAL TREATMENT PROCESS
STAGE 1: Bridge Consultation:
Our bridge consultation is a vital first step in the dental bridge process. It involves:
- Identifying the missing tooth and its duration of absence.
- Evaluating gum and bone health for bridge support.
- Assessing neighboring teeth for their strength and vitality.
- Ensuring informed consent and exploring alternative options.
- Explaining treatment choices using photos and X-rays.
- Providing an opportunity for your questions and concerns.
At our clinic, we emphasize comprehensive communication and patient involvement to ensure that the chosen treatment plan is tailored to your specific situation and provides the best possible outcome for your oral health.
STAGE 2: Tooth Preparation and 3D Scanning: Once the patient decides to start the bridge process, there will be possible irreversible changes to the tooth as part of the preparation. To allow the bridge to fit well, we would need to remove a layer of tooth structure. This will ensure that the dental bridge is strong enough while preserving the health of the tooth. Once the preparation has been done, we use a 3D scanner (CEREC) to create a 3D model of your teeth, instead of the usual dental moulds which may be messy and uncomfortable. 3D models are more accurate and allow us to start work on creating the bridge immediately. Thereafter, the exposed tooth can be covered with a temporary bridge.
STAGE 3: Designing, Milling and Hand Finishing of the Bridge. Using the CAD/CAM softwares, we create the shape of the new bridge, taking into account the biting forces and how the bridge fits with the neighbouring teeth to ensure that it feels and looks like your natural tooth. The bridge is designed and milled using high quality materials to ensure a highly accurate fit of the bridge with precision fit of 25 µm to the neighboring teeth and optimum bite force. The bridge is milled from a single block of material which ensures that the bridge consists of one single layer (monolithic). This reduces breakage and cracks from developing due to laminal stresses in the material. When the bridge is milled, our in-house dental technician then adds his artistic touch to make it look natural. Once the dentist is satisfied with it, he then places the bridge in a furnace that goes up to 1550°C for a predetermined amount of time. This process strengthens the bridge and makes the stains on the bridge permanent.
STAGE 4: Cementing the Bridge occurs at the next appointment. Please be aware that while every effort will be made to match the bridge to the rest of your teeth, variations in color and shape may exist, and an exact match cannot be guaranteed. We aim for the best possible aesthetic result while ensuring the bridge functions effectively and maintains your oral health
The dentist will check the colour and fit before bonding the bridge into place. After the cement is placed between the bridge and your teeth, it is permanent and cannot be altered. The patient's bite will be checked, and the bridge will be adjusted and polished.
STAGE 5: Review Check: Your dentist will see you a week later for a review. To be precise, he will check your bite, the stability of the bridge and ensure that you are comfortable with it - just like your own tooth.
Dental Designs Clinic In-House Laboratory
Modern advances in dental technology has allowed us to be able to make a bridge in the clinic, under our full control. Unlike traditional dental laboratories, which are made off-site, we make all our bridges and bridges in house to ensure full quality control.
Our dentists keep themselves up to date with international techniques that are effective and comfortable for you. For a fully digital workflow, we make use of a 3D scanner (CEREC) which means no dental moulds. We also make the final bridge straight away, minimizing downtime and eliminating the need for temporary bridges which are usually rough and fall-off easily.
All our bridges and bridges made in-house are 100% metal-free, and do not contain mercury or other toxins. We make Ceramic and Zirconia bridges with the use of high-quality, genuine materials with a long track record of success. Each bridge or bridge is designed individually, hand stained, polished and finished and inspected to ensure quality before giving it to our patients. Each bridge is hand painted to create life-like aesthetics that match your teeth naturally.