Fill the gap in your smile with a natural-looking bridge
If you are missing a tooth, whether through trauma, accident or extraction, dental bridges can be used to effectively and reliably fill the gap. They slot seamlessly into your smile, using the teeth on either side of the gap as support for an aesthetic replacement tooth placed in between.
A missing tooth can affect more than just your appearance and confidence. Filling the gap with a natural-looking replacement prevents your remaining teeth from moving out of position and causing alignment issues that can require costly treatment down the line. A bridge 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 implants to replace more than one missing tooth.
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 digital scans of the prepared teeth, which are used to create your bridge to your exact specifications. While your bridge is custom-made, we provide you with a temporary restoration to protect the exposed teeth.
When it is ready, we check your bridge and make sure you are completely happy with the fit and look. We then fix it in place using strong dental adhesive.
Different types of bridges available
Conventional bridges
Conventional bridges use crowns placed over the teeth on either side of the gap as support for a replacement tooth. These teeth often require a small amount of enamel to be removed to accommodate the bridge placement.
Adhesive (Maryland) bridges
Adhesive (Maryland) bridges use metal or ceramic brackets glued to the back of the neighbouring teeth to hold the false tooth securely in place. This option requires virtually no drilling, if any, of healthy teeth, but are not suitable for all gaps.
You need to clean your bridge every day, to prevent problems such as bad breath and gum disease. You also have to clean under the false tooth every day. Your dentist or hygienist will show you how to use special floss, as a normal toothbrush cannot reach.
Although a bridge may seem costly they can be a wise investment that will give many years of good service. It will also improve your appearance and bite. A bridge uses the considerable skill of the dentist and technician, and in this way, it’s similar to ordering a piece of hand-made jewellery.
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.
The main alternatives to bridges for replacing missing teeth are partial dentures and dental implants. Bridges are seen as a more secure alternative to partial dentures, as they are fixed into place and will not move or slip. Implants are seen as superior in durability and aesthetics but are more expensive. Bridges can be used in combination with implants to replace more than one missing tooth.
Bridges are typically made of tooth-coloured porcelain or ceramic material, so they blend perfectly with your natural smile. Metal may be used in the base for added strength.
What do our patients say?
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