What are dental bridges?
A dental bridge is used to place an artificial tooth where one or more teeth is completely missing but natural teeth remain on either side of the gap. Bridges are permanently fixed in place by joining them to the remaining teeth, which act as anchors for the bridge. If the adjacent teeth are healthy, the bridge can be joined to the surface of these teeth, or to crowns if the adjacent teeth are compromised. Bridges are made of metal and porcelain or sometimes just porcelain – it really depends on where in your mouth the teeth are missing. We will discuss the various options with you fully to develop the optimum treatment.
How does the procedure work?
The first step is to make an impression – or mould – of your mouth. We do this using a soft malleable material which our expert dental technicians then use to make plaster models of your upper and lower teeth and gums. This shows us exactly how your teeth bite together so that the teeth that will support the bridge can be prepared to take the fixings and to make sure that the bridge is not too bulky.
We will then take another impression of your teeth and any gaps, and our dental technicians then use this mould to make the bridge. A plastic temporary bridge or temporary crown may be fitted in the meantime. During your final visit we will check that your new bridge fits, make any minor adjustments and then fix it permanently in place. Dental bridges generally last many years but you will need to maintain good oral hygiene to ensure that the anchor teeth remain healthy. We will show you the best way of keeping your new bridge and the surrounding teeth clean.
What are the benefits of a bridge?
A bridge lets you forget that you have missing teeth. It can improve the way you look, bite, chew and speak and bring you a renewed quality of life. The teeth can be matched to the colour of your own teeth for a natural-looking smile. If you do not want a bridge, you do have the option of a removable partial denture or a dental implant. We will explain your options and how successful the chances of a bridge will be for you. If the surrounding ‘anchor’ teeth are not strong enough we may recommend other options.
What are bridges?
A bridge is used to place an artificial tooth where one or more teeth is completely missing but natural teeth remain on either side of the gap. Bridges are permanently fixed in place by joining them to the remaining teeth, which act as anchors for the bridge. If the adjacent teeth are healthy, the bridge can be joined to the surface of these teeth, or to crowns if the adjacent teeth are compromised. Bridges are made of metal and porcelain or sometimes just porcelain – it really depends on where in your mouth the teeth are missing. We will discuss the various options with you fully to develop the optimum treatment.
How does the procedure work?
The first step is to make an impression – or mould – of your mouth. We do this using a soft malleable material which our expert dental technicians then use to make plaster models of your upper and lower teeth and gums. This shows us exactly how your teeth bite together so that the teeth that will support the bridge can be prepared to take the fixings and to make sure that the bridge is not too bulky.
We will then take another impression of your teeth and any gaps, and our dental technicians then use this mould to make the bridge. A plastic temporary bridge or temporary crown may be fitted in the meantime. During your final visit we will check that your new bridge fits, make any minor adjustments and then fix it permanently in place. Dental bridges generally last many years but you will need to maintain good oral hygiene to ensure that the anchor teeth remain healthy. We will show you the best way of keeping your new bridge and the surrounding teeth clean.
What are the benefits of a bridge?
A bridge lets you forget that you have missing teeth. It can improve the way you look, bite, chew and speak and bring you a renewed quality of life. The teeth can be matched to the colour of your own teeth for a natural-looking smile. If you do not want a bridge, you do have the option of a removable partial denture or a dental implant. We will explain your options and how successful the chances of a bridge will be for you. If the surrounding ‘anchor’ teeth are not strong enough we may recommend other options.
