Dental Bridges
MISSING TEETH? BRIDGES CAN HELP RESTORE YOUR SMILE
Bridges can replace one or more missing teeth while also providing a cosmetic and long-lasting restoration to the teeth that support the new tooth.
There are different types of bridge designs and various materials can used. Bridges are so called because the replacement tooth sits between two crowns. The crowns fit over the supporting teeth, and are joined to the replacement tooth/teeth, giving a natural looking and secure solution to a gap in your smile.
Why have a dental bridge?
When a tooth is lost, the resulting gap in the mouth can impact a person’s confidence or their ability to chew. Having a missing tooth can make a person more self-conscious when they smile or talk.
Teeth have a tendency to move and shift when there is space which causes them to move out of position, affecting the bite. Replacing the tooth with either a bridge or a dental implant provides a fixed solution to stop this movement and improves the bite.
For just a single missing tooth, bridges can be a relatively simple and quick option to fill in the gap.
How to care for your bridge
As with crowns or other fillings, it is essential to clean around the bridge to prevent any build-up of bacteria which can lead to bad breath, cavities and ultimately the failure of the bridge. During your check-ups and Hygiene visits, our dentists and hygienist will make sure your bridge is still secure and in good shape and provide you with tailored advice on how to look after your bridge.
Pros and Cons of dental bridges
Dental bridges can be a suitable option for some patients and offer many benefits. But there are some potential drawbacks:
Advantages – dental bridges can:
- Offer a relatively quick and natural-looking solution for a missing tooth/teeth.
- Restore chewing and speech function (tooth loss can make it difficult to eat or speak properly).
- Avoid neighbouring teeth from drifting or tilting into the gap left behind by missing teeth.
Disadvantages – dental bridges also have some drawbacks:
- If decay or trauma results in damage to the supporting tooth/teeth, it can weaken your dental bridge.
- You need to have strong teeth next to the gap to be able to support the missing tooth/teeth. If your abutment (supporting) teeth aren’t strong enough they can fracture resulting in the loss of the bridge.
- They require extra attention when cleaning. If you don’t follow the oral hygiene advice, bacteria can cause cavities or inflammation of the gum tissues around or beneath the bridge.
Call us at Hermitage Clinic on 020 7481 2999 to discuss how we can help you.
