Dental bridges provide a stable and attractive solution for replacing missing teeth. Whether your tooth has been extracted or lost due to injury, bridges fill the gap in your smile. They use the adjacent natural teeth as anchors, with your new tooth acting as a bridge between them to restore both function and appearance.
It is important to replace missing teeth in your smile, not just because it can really affect confidence. Replacing teeth prevents the remaining teeth from shifting out of position, causing alignment issues. It also protects the otherwise vulnerable gums.
Bridges are a more secure alternative to partial dentures as they are fixed. We can also use a bridge in combination with dental implants to replace more than one missing tooth.
Conventional bridges restore missing teeth by using crowns placed on the adjacent teeth as support. These are attached to the pontic (artificial tooth) to fill the gap, resulting in a complete smile.
Adhesive (Maryland) bridges offer a less invasive solution, using metal or ceramic wings bonded to the adjacent teeth to hold the artificial tooth securely in place. While more affordable and simpler than implants, they are best suited for gaps with healthy supporting teeth and are not always the best option for every patient.
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We first make sure that the teeth that will support the bridge are healthy and strong. They are then prepared by removing a layer of enamel.
We take impressions of the prepared teeth. These are sent to the dental laboratory. While your bridge is custom-made, we provide you with a temporary bridge to protect the exposed teeth.
When ready, we check your bridge, making sure it fits perfectly and making small adjustments if necessary. Your bridge is finally fixed in place with strong dental cement.
The best way to look after your bridge is to maintain excellent oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth twice a day. It is also important to clean under the false tooth daily, as a standard toothbrush can’t reach. Your dentist will show you how to use special tools and give you some personalised advice.
If bridges are well looked after, and that includes keeping the surrounding teeth healthy so they can continue to provide a solid foundation, they should last for over ten years.
Dental bridges can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain fused to a metal based, and all-ceramic for an aesthetic finish.
The main teeth replacement alternatives are partial dentures and dental implants. Bridges offer a more stable and fixed solution than partial dentures, which can sometimes shift or slip. Dental implants are generally considered superior in terms of durability and aesthetics, but are more expensive. We are happy to discuss your treatment options with you.
Modern dental bridges, especially those made from all-ceramic materials, are designed to look very natural and blend seamlessly with your existing teeth. Your dentist will work with you to match the colour and shape of the bridge to your smile.
Yes, you can eat normally with a dental bridge. However, it's advisable to avoid excessively hard or sticky foods that could damage the bridge.
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