Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a structure that can replace one or more missing teeth with a false tooth/teeth. The false tooth is known as a pontic, which is fused between two porcelain Crowns spanning the gap left by the missing tooth like a bridge. The crowns hold it in place by attaching to your teeth immediately adjacent to the gap. This is known as a fixed bridge. A simple bridge replacing one missing tooth therefore consists of two crowns and a false tooth, but it may also involve many teeth. Fixed bridges are permanently glued into your mouth and therefore cannot be taken out as you might do with a removable partial denture.

A bridge can also be made between two or more implants. This means that two strategically placed implants can replace three or four missing teeth.

When replacing front teeth modern high-tech all-ceramic materials can be used in bridges which are strong and durable and at the same time are very natural and attractive in appearance. 

In areas of your mouth that are under less stress, such as your front teeth, a cantilever bridge may be used in exceptional cases. This bridge attaches itself only to one tooth.

What are the advantages of bridges?

Apart from replacing the missing teeth, bridges can reduce your risk of gum disease, help correct some bite issues, prevent tipping and rotation of the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, prevent over-eruption the teeth opposing the gap, prevent bite collapse and even improve your speech. The long-term success of a bridge hinges around excellent quality dentistry and laboratory processes, but it also requires your commitment to meticulous oral hygiene, special type of flossing and regular dental check-ups. Bridges may last as long as ten years or more. 

Can all missing teeth be replaced with bridges?     

Bridges can be used to replace missing teeth in select areas of your mouth if the neighbouring teeth are sufficiently strong. Bridges can sometimes be long by spanning from the one side of your mouth to the other. However, the number of missing teeth, the condition of the neighbouring teeth and the condition of the supporting gums and bone around your remaining teeth are all important factors which need to be assessed and considered by us prior to making a bridge. We can also advise you on alternative methods of replacing missing teeth after your dental examination at our practice.

How is dental bridge accomplished?

You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the teeth and we will shape your teeth for crowns on either side of the space for the false tooth. We will then take an impression. The dental laboratory will use this impression to manufacture the bridge. A temporary bridge will be placed before you leave our surgeries for you to wear while your bridge is being made until your next visit. This temporary bridge will serve to protect your teeth and gums.

At your second appointment, the temporary bridge is removed and your new permanent bridge is fitted and permanently cemented to your teeth.