If you’re missing a tooth, then a dental bridge could be just what you need.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a way to replace missing teeth. It consists of a prosthetic tooth that attaches to your remaining teeth. It literally bridges the gap between your healthy teeth – hence the name ‘dental bridge’.

Do I really need to replace my missing teeth?

Believe it or not, there’s lots of benefits to replacing a missing tooth. Here’s some of the main benefits:

• Restore your smile. Studies have found that people with a full set of teeth are rated as more attractive than people with missing teeth.
• Make it easier to chew. A bridge will help you spread forces evenly around your mouth when you eat.
• Make it easier to speak. It’s actually easier to talk with a full set of teeth than with missing teeth.
• Prevent your remaining teeth from drifting out of place. When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth tend to slowly move into the gap. Prevent this from happening with a bridge.
• Help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Gaps left behind by missing tooth often tend to get packed with food, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria. A bridge removes gaps from your teeth and can therefore improve your dental health.

How long does dental bridge treatment take?

It usually takes two visits to fit a dental bridge. These visits are usually one to two weeks apart.

At your first visit, the dentist will trim down the teeth adjacent to the gap to make room for crowns. The dentist will also take a mould of your teeth. A lab will later make your bridge from this mould.

At the second appointment, the dentist will cement the bridge into place and you’ll walk out of the clinic with a new smile!

How do I take care of a dental bridge?

You will need to clean your bridge every day, just like how you clean your regular teeth. Cleaning a dental bridge isn’t difficult. All that’s needed is a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.

How long do bridges last?

Bridges typically last five to seven years. But with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, bridges can last for over ten years.

What do bridges look like?

Modern bridges look just like your existing teeth. They’ll blend in with your smile and no-one will be able to tell that you have a false tooth.

Are there any other ways to replacing a missing tooth?

Yes, there are two other ways to replace a missing tooth: dentures and implants.

Dentures: You are probably already familiar with dentures, which are basically removable teeth. Perhaps your grandparents even wear a pair. Dentures are usually cheaper than bridges and implants. However, the downside to dentures is that they typically feel less comfortable than bridges and implants.

Implants: Dental Implants are prosthetic teeth that attach to your jawbone instead of your remaining teeth. They’re strong and feel very real. However, they require oral surgery and are therefore also the most expensive option.

As you can probably guess, bridges are in the middle. They’re more affordable than implants and more comfortable than dentures.

Is anyone eligible for bridges?

Bridges aren’t suitable for everyone with missing teeth. Your options will vary depending on the number of teeth you have missing and their locations in the mouth. Bridges work best when you only have a few missing teeth and when all the missing teeth are on the same side of the mouth. Also, bridges require the two teeth adjacent to a gap to be in good health.

Contact us to find out more

If you’re interested in our services, then contact us to find out more. Our prices for bridges start from just £445 for our regular patients and £356 for patients on our Denplan.