Dental Bridge
A bridge is used to replace missing teeth
and is one alternative to partial dentures.
Bridges are usually made from a precious metal base and if the bridge
is visible, porcelain is then bonded to the base. To reduce the
cost, non-precious metals can sometimes be used for the base.
The bridge is made by constructing crowns on the teeth either side
of the gap and joining them together with a false tooth. It is made
in the laboratory and cemented into place using a special dental
adhesive.
Once in place the bridge cannot be removed. You can usually have
a bridge if you have enough strong teeth with good bone support.
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| before | after |
The before and after shows how a bridge can
improve the way you look, bite, chew and even speak. Note the good
colour match. If teeth are not replaced or supported when lost they
will misalign other teeth causing your teeth to bite together incorrectly.
There are alternatives to a fixed bridge including an adhesive bridge
(which is less intrusive) partial dentures and implants. All have
pros and cons so please give us a call for more advice.
The Treatment Plan
You will need to have at least two appointments if you have a fixed bridge fitted.
Appointment 1
Tooth preparation, impression, temporary bridge.
- You will be given a local anaesthetic around the working area before preparing the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth.
- For the bridge to work effectively the teeth will need to be reduced in size and shaped to both support the bridge and to make sure it doesn't protrude.
- Once the teeth are prepared, your dentist will take an impression and a colour match from surrounding teeth. The bridge will then be made in the laboratory by a dental technician.
- A temporary bridge will be fixed into place ready for you second appointment.
Appointment 2
Cementing the fixed bridge into place.
- You will be given another anaesthetic to numb the area and then the dentist will remove the temporary bridge.
- Once you and the dentist are happy with the fit and positioning of the bridge, it will be cemented into place.