Zirconia Dental Bridge

If you have a gap between your teeth because of a missing tooth but do not want to wear a removable denture or undergo surgery for a dental implant then a fixed dental bridge may be the right choice for you.

A fixed dental bridge literally bridges the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Like a real bridge, a dental bridge requires anchors from both ends. Your dentist will use the teeth from both sides of the gap as anchors or as abutments to support and hold in place the false teeth of your dental bridge.

There are many different materials used for a dental bridge. Porcelain, metal, gold, ceramic and resin are some of the materials used for dental bridges.

What is Zirconia?

Zirconia is a ceramic material that has revolutionized modern dentistry. Because of its exceptional qualities in terms of strength and aesthetics, Zirconia is now being widely used by dentists to produce fast and high quality dental veneers, crowns, bridges and even implants.

What are the advantages of Zirconia Crowns?

STRENGTH: Zirconia is very durable and is very hard to crack. It is actually the strongest material used in dentistry today.
AESTHETICS: Zirconia is a white ceramic with good translucency features. It resembles the natural tooth enamel because of its color and translucency.

It can also be further enhanced aesthetically by applying layers of porcelain to achieve the desired look, color and features of real teeth.

NON-METALLIC: Zirconia is not a metal. It does not rust, oxidize or chemically corrode.
BIOCOMPATIBILITY: Zirconia is compatible with living tissue. It is not toxic and is very well tolerated by the body. It does not cause allergy.
TEMPERATURE RESISTANT: Zirconia resists hot and cold temperatures very well. Because of this, hypersensitivity normally experienced by patients with other materials is greatly reduced.
STAIN RESISTANT: Zirconia does not easily stain compared acrylic and other composite ceramics.
FAST AND PRECISE: Zirconia crowns are made with high levels of precision and in a very short period of time because they are designed and manufactured in our clinic with state-of-the-art CADCAM equipment.

What is the process for having a Zirconia Dental Bridge?

Because of our state-of-the-art CADCAM equipment and our in-house dental laboratory staff, we are able to design and manufacture high quality and customized Zirconia Dental Bridges at the shortest possible time. It is fast, convenient and a hassle-free experience.

1. Consultation

The process begins with a consultation with our dentist. Photographs and x-rays of your teeth will be taken during the consultation.

2. Preparing the Abutments

The dentist can then start preparing the abutments by removing a layer of enamel around the teeth that will be used as the anchors of the dental bridge. This process is similar to the process of having a dental crown. Your dentist may use topical or local anesthesia at this stage of the process.

3. Dental Impression

After the preparation, a dental impression of your mouth will be taken. The dental impression will be sent to our dental laboratory for digital scanning.

4. Temporary Dental Bridge

While your Zirconia Dental Bridge is being designed and produced, the dentist shall create and install a temporary crown for you.

5. Computer Aided-Design

Our dental laboratory technician shall then use the digital scan of your teeth to create a three dimensional digital design of your Zirconia Dental Bridge.

6. Computer Aided-Manufacturing

The digital design will now be used to carve your dental bridge from a solid Zirconia block using our computerized milling machine. When the milled dental bridge is finished, the technician shall bake the Zirconia into a special oven for 9 hours.

The hardened zirconia crown will then be trimmed and polished. If directed by dentist, additional layers of porcelain will be built up on the Zirconia to improve its aesthetic quality.

7. Fitting the Dental Bridge

Your dentist will fit the bridge on your teeth in your next appointment. Your approval will be asked. Any change needed will be noted and the dental bridge will be sent back to the laboratory for adjustments.

8. Installing the Zirconia Dental Bridge

When the Zirconia Dental Bridge is ready for final installation, the dentist shall etch the tooth abutments with a special acid gel to prepare the surface of the teeth. The abutment teeth will then be coated with a bonding agent. Dental cement is then applied on the back of the Zirconia Dental Bridge. Finally, the cement will be cured with a special light to harden it and permanently fix your new Zirconia Dental Bridge in place.

The process is complete. Congratulations on your new smile!

How long will a Zirconia Dental Bridge last?

Zirconia is the strongest and most durable material for dental bridges. With proper care and good oral hygiene, your Zirconia Dental Bridge can last 10 – 15 years or even longer.

Full Contour Zirconia Dental Bridge (not porcelain coated) is almost impossible to break and could last you a lifetime with proper care and good oral health.

Zirconia Dental Bridges with Porcelain Build Up (coated with layers of porcelain) can also last you a long time with proper care. The Zirconia itself will not easily be damaged but the porcelain build up coating the surface of the bridge can be damaged if you do not take care of it. Avoid biting or eating food that is very hard, they can break the porcelain coating of your Zirconia Dental Bridge.