General Dentistry
Bridges
Boost your everyday confidence without the need for surgery.
Of the three methods used to fill gaps left by missing teeth, dental bridges are probably the easiest for patients to receive – as they do not require surgery and are fairly easy to maintain. Making dental bridges a good alternative to Dental Implants and Partial Dentures, they literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
What is a Dental Bridge?
The bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap — these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth — and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.
Bridge Types
There are four types of bridges to choose from depending on your situation: Traditional, Cantilever, Maryland and Implant-Supported. Click here to find out more about them and how they differ from implants.
More than meets the eye.
Replacement of missing teeth is important, and not just for cosmetic reasons. Gaps can place strain on teeth either side, which ‘lean’ into the vacant space, altering the biting together of the upper and lower teeth.
This alteration can trigger clenching and grinding, which will exacerbate the strain on these teeth. Also, food becomes packed in the gap, resulting in gum disease and decay.
Dental Bridges FAQs
Yes, if you have enough strong teeth with good bone support. Your dentist will help you decide the best way of replacing your missing teeth within your budget.
Yes, there are four types of dental bridge; the traditional bridge, the cantilever bridge, the maryland bridge and the implant-supported bridge. You can read more about the different types here.
Bridges are usually made of a non-precious metal base. If the bridge will show, porcelain is then bonded to the base. Full metal coverage may be desirable where there are biting issues.
You must clean your bridge every day, to prevent problems such as bad breath and gum disease. You use superfloss and tepe brushes to clean under a bridge, reaching the parts that are inaccessible to a regular toothbrush. Your dentist or hygienist will show you how.
Yes. Other methods include a combination of crowns and partial dentures that keep retaining clips out of sight.
Of the three options for filling the gaps left by missing teeth, the Dental Implant is the most effective. The Tooth-Supported Dental Bridge is the second-best option. The least preferable option is the Removable Denture.
Ask your dentist for further information. Whatever method is chosen, remember that it is as important to care for the remaining teeth as it is to replace the missing ones.