A dental bridge can be used to fill the gap between two adjacent teeth. A specially designed structure incorporating a hollow crown to support the missing tooth is prepared in the dental laboratory. Similarly to crowns and implants, the replacement bridge ‘tooth’ will be matched to the rest of your teeth to give as natural a result as possible.
Bridgework can be constructed from a variety of different materials depending upon the application – your cosmetic dentist will advise what is most appropriate.
Why have a bridge?
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 implants to replace more than one missing tooth.
What does the treatment involve?
We first make sure that the teeth that will support the bridge are healthy and strong. They are then prepared through 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, the bridge is checked and adjusted to make sure it fits perfectly and it is finally fixed in place with strong dental cement.
It is important to keep up with good oral hygiene to ensure the longevity of your bridge. Make sure you clean under the false tooth, as well as brushing and flossing regularly.
Frequently Asked Question
Bridges are usually made of precious metal, with porcelain used to create the replacement tooth to give a natural look. This ensures the bridge will fit perfectly into your smile.
A bridge will not affect the way you eat. As it is fixed into place, it will not move as you bite or chew and allows you to eat normally.
If you take good care of your bridge, and keep the surrounding natural teeth healthy so they can continue to provide solid support, it can last for over ten years. You should also ensure you attend regular check ups with your dentist.
