Whether you have lost a tooth through an accident or if it has been extracted, bridges can fill in gaps in your smile. Made either from porcelain mused to a metal base or from all-ceramic for an aesthetic finish, bridges use the teeth on either side of the gap as support for the replacement tooth. Crowns slot over the abutment teeth with the false tooth acting as a bridge between them.
It is important to replace missing teeth in your smile, not just because it can really affect confidence. Replacing teeth prevents the remaining teeth from shifting out of position, causing alignment issues. It also protects the otherwise vulnerable gums.
Bridges are a more secure alternative to partial dentures as they are fixed. We can also use a bridge in combination with implants to replace more than one missing tooth.
Find out more
We first make sure that the teeth that will support the bridge are healthy and strong. They are then prepared through removing a layer of enamel.
We take impressions of the prepared teeth. These are sent to the dental laboratory. While your bridge is custom-made, we provide you with a temporary bridge to protect the exposed teeth.
When ready, the bridge is checked and adjusted to make sure it fits perfectly and it is finally fixed in place with strong dental cement.
Good oral hygiene is essential to ensure the longevity of your bridge. It is especially important to clean under the false tooth, as well as brushing and flossing regularly.
If bridges are well looked after, and that includes keeping the surrounding teeth healthy so they can continue to provide a solid foundation, they should last for over ten years.
If looked after correctly, including keeping the rest of your teeth healthy so they can keep providing support, your bridge can last for over ten years. We will be able to give you an idea of the longevity of your bridge and keep an eye on it at your regular check-up appointments.
The best way to look after your bridge is to include it in your daily oral hygiene routines, paying attention to the area under the false tooth. We are happy to help show you tips for brushing with a bridge and can recommend special brushes to help.
If it will not be too visible, a bridge is usually made from precious metals such as gold. It is possible to bond porcelain to the base for a more natural look if preferred.
Yes, you will be able to eat confidently, as the bridge is securely fitted and will not move when you bite or chew.
It is important that you clean underneath the bridge as well as using the normal procedure of brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at each end of the bridge. However, there are different ways of cleaning a bridge depending on where it is in the mouth and its design.
You might need to use specialist tools, such as a special floss with a stiff end to poke underneath the bridge and pull through, ‘bottle brushes’ (your dentist will tell you which size and shape you need), and water jets which send a stream of water underneath your bridge.
Bridges can be used to replace a small number of missing teeth if the neighbouring and teeth are sufficiently strong. The number of missing teeth, condition of the neighbouring teeth, condition of the supporting gums and bone are all important factors which need to be assessed by your dentist prior to making a bridge. Your dentist will also be able to advise on alternative methods of replacing missing teeth after a clinical examination.
68 Wimborne Road,
Poole,
Dorset,
BH15 2BZ
Get directions from Google
Tel: 01202 673 037
