Guide to dental bridges

Losing a tooth through dental decay, gum disease or a knock or fall can be emotionally traumatic. It can also affect the way you look and the way you speak, as well as reducing your ability to chew. To make matters worse, the gap left by the missing tooth can strain the remaining teeth on either side causing them to tip into the gap, putting them under additional strain and allowing food debris to collect and cause further decay.

In order to improve appearance and retain function it is sometimes beneficial to have the gap restored by the placement of a dental bridge.

What is a dental bridge?

Where a tooth is missing it can ber replaced by attaching a false tooth into the gap. Unlike traditional plates or detures bridges are designed to stay in place and not be removed by the patient. Dental bridges are held in place by using the tooth or teeth on either side of the gap as an anchor for the false tooth. If a dental bridge is designed well and maintained properly the typical lifespan of the bridge would be 10 to 15 years.

Types of dental bridge

The three main types of dental bridge are fixed fixed bridges, cantilever and resin retained (adhesive).

Fixed Fixed Bridges

With a fixed fixed bridge, the false tooth / teeth are anchored to new crowns attached to the teeth either side of the gap. These crowns are usually made from porcelain with the new tooth made from either ceramic or porcelain. This solution is very stable and can be used anywhere in the mouth. It does however involve the crowning of teeth which can result in the polishing away of tooth structure.

Resin Bonded adhesive Bridges

Adhesive bridges use very powerful glue to bond a wing to the inner surface of the teeth beside the gap. These wings act as the anchor and support for the false bridge tooth. This technique is usually only suitable for small gaps and front teeth. It does however require less tooth polishing than fixed fixed bridgework.

Cantilever Bridges

Cantilever bridges are used where there is only the need for anchorage from one side of the gap or only one secure tooth is present on one side of the gap.

The dental bridge process explained.

Making a bridge requires at least two dental visits. At the first visit the tooth or teeth are shaped for the type of bridge chosen. At the berkely Clinic we would then Scan you r teeth using the Lava COS digital scanner and send this to our Dental Laboratory in the U.S.A. From this scan the Laboratory can then design and make the new bridge. After scanning a temporary bridge will be fitted so that you can smile and function normally.

Once the bridge is made to your exact specifications and returned to the clinic we would fit your new bridge.

Caring for a dental bridge

Caring for a bridge is key to the long term success of it. Gaps underneath bridges occur in almost every case and require regular cleaning and visits to the hygienist to ensure that the bridge teeth do not develop decay or gum disease. As well as brushing at home there are a range of additional dental hygiens aids designed to help you keep your bridge clean.

The cost of a dental bridge

Dental bridgework at the clinic ranges from £750 upwards depending on the number of teeth and system used. We work with only the finest dental laboratories and technicians and as such our bridgework is more expensive than some other clinics.

Alternatives to a dental bridge

The alternatives to a dental bridge are to accept the missing tooth and all the problems that this can cause. A dental implant (see implants) or a removable denture (see removable dentures)

Should you feel that you need a bridge or are interested. Please get in touch. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have

Call us today on 0141 564 3001 to book a consultation Contact us