Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is one or more false teeth called a pontic, which is typically attached each end to a crown on a tooth adjacent to the space.

Sometimes they are only fixed to the teeth one end of the space, and these are called straight cantilever bridges. A well designed and well cared for bridge will last many years and is a very good method of typically replacing one or two teeth. They can however be made to replace more teeth than this, if there are enough teeth in your mouth to attach them to.

Bridge technology has improved in recent years, and while a lot of bridges are attached to teeth using crowns, which involves preparing the teeth for crowns to retain the bridge adhesive dentistry provides other solutions to how we can hold a bridge onto your teeth. A resin bonded bridge is often used in the front of the mouth and involves very little preparation of the teeth as a “wing” bonds to the inside of the tooth next to the gap. Sometimes if a tooth next to the space has a filling in it, we can simply remove the filling and use the cavity which is left to hold a bridge in place with a porcelain inlay. (see our smile gallery).

Why replace missing teeth?

If a tooth is missing near the front of your mouth the main reason to replace it is cosmetic. If the gap is nearer the back of the mouth and does not show, then the main reason to replace a missing tooth is to avoid problems with the teeth each side of the gap, or in the opposite jaw to the gap.

Teeth only remain where they are in your mouth because they all support each other, if one is lost then commonly the teeth each side of the space start to move into the space and tilt. This can lead to food getting trapped between your teeth, and gum disease round the tilted teeth. The way your teeth “bite” may also change.

What is a bridge?

A traditional bridge is fitted into your mouth by attaching it with crowns to the teeth each end of the space. This can only be done if the teeth it is to be attached to are healthy and have no gum disease. The teeth are trimmed down the same as with a crown, and then bridge is made as several crowns joined together. This is then permanently attached to the prepared teeth – see images below:

Am I suitable for a bridge?

Bridges are ideal if there are one or two teeth missing, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. The teeth and gums must be healthy enough to support the bridge. At your consultation visit we take some X rays of the teeth, and do some other checks to make sure that if we are going to make a bridge for you, that we can be sure it will function and look nice for many years.

How does a bridge fit?

The traditional bridge is fitted over your prepared teeth either side of the gap. There are some modern style of bridges, which are made from different materials which do not require preparation of the teeth, they attach adhesively to the teeth.

Types of bridge!

Bridges are divided into different types depending on what they are made of and how they fit. Bridges towards the back of the mouth typically have a precious metal substructure covered with a layer of porcelain coloured to match your own teeth, or an all-porcelain bridge made from solid zirconia, which is an exceptionally strong material. Nearer the front where the teeth are not subject to as much chewing force, but where appearance is more important, we always try to use one of the all porcelain materials. These look much more natural, and mimic the translucency of your own natural teeth. They are more expensive, but the appearance is worth the extra cost.

How much does a bridge cost?

Metal and porcelain bridges cost from £595 per tooth. All-porcelain bridges cost £750 per tooth. Although this may seem quite expensive, a well designed bridge will last many years. Each bridge is carefully prepared and custom made to fit and restore your smile. All-porcelain bridges are now made using a substructure which is computer milled from a solid zirconia ingot, and colour matched to the teeth.

A resin bonded, Maryland or adhesive bridge is primarily used to replace one missing front tooth and generally costs less than a conventional bridge.