Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a long term, fixed restorative dental treatment to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge will be cemented into place by joining onto adjacent teeth, which act as anchors to secure the bridge into place.

A dental bridge is typically used to close the gap from one or two missing teeth.

A dental bridge will replace the gap left by missing teeth and in doing so will prevent adjacent teeth from rotating and moving into the empty space. If the gap is left unfilled this movement of teeth can result in a bad bite and subsequently temporomandibular joint disorders.

A gap created by missing teeth can also be a causative factor in gum disease. A dental bridge will greatly reduce the probability of gum disease.

As well as the oral health benefits, a dental bridge will also improve the appearance of your smile.

At Dental & Skin we require two visits to create and fit your dental bridge. At the first visit, we will take a mould of the gap and the adjacent teeth which will be sent to the laboratory. At the second visit the dentist will fit your bridge and check your bite.

After your bridge has been fitted, we advice patients to continue with their normal hygiene routine. Brush twice daily, and floss once a day.

We advise regular dental visits to allow your dentist to see how you are getting on with your bridge.

At Dental & Skin we find that many dental bridges are intact 20 years after they have been fitted. We also find that about 70% of bridges last longer than 8 years.

We are confident in the quality of our bridges that we offer a guarantee of 5 years.

We recommend regular dental check ups and hygiene cleans to maintain the longevity of your bridge as well as maintaining your oral health regime at home.

At Dental & Skin we are able to make the most natural looking bridge; we match the colour, shape and size to your natural dentition.

There are many different materials used to make a dental bridge such as; porcelain gold and acrylic materials. When deciding which material is best we will advise based on what will work best for your teeth, as well as in appearance.

Porcelain/ceramic materials offer the best aesthetic results, they are also durable, and can match best the natural appearance of teeth including the smaller details. However, porcelain is not best suited when supporting large restorations.

Gold materials are tough, strong, and are resistant to corrosion. However, they gold does not have the benefit of improving aesthetic appearance.

Acrylic materials have the benefit of a lower cost, however, they lack in durability, aesthetics and range of shades available.

Traditional Dental Bridges

This type of bridge is used when you have natural teeth on either side of the missing gap. The bridge can be held in place by dental crowns which are cemented onto the adjacent teeth.

Cantilever Bridge

This type of bridge is where the pontic (fake teeth) is only supported by one adjacent tooth. This means that complications can arise such as, fractured teeth.

Hybrid Bridges

This type of bridge is not just cemented into place but also replaces missing tissue and bone, and can mimic the natural colour of your gums.

This kind of bridge is a good option for patients who have lost bone and tissue or who have lost teeth due to trauma.

This bridge also has a moveable joint, and therefore decreases the stress produced on adjacent teeth to hold the bridge into place.

Maryland Bridge

This type of bridge is held in place by either a metal or porcelain framework which is cemented onto the back of the adjacent teeth.

This means that how long this bridge will last depends on the strength of the framework which holds it into place. An advantage of this bridge over the others is that adjacent teeth don’t need to be filed, as the bridge is held into place by a framework rather than by crowns.

Implant Supported Bridges

This type of bridge is supported by dental implants, there will be one implant placed for every missing tooth.

This type of bridge will take longer to complete due to two appointments needed; one to fit the implant and one to fit the bridge.

Implants are very strong and stable, therefore the patient will feel secure when wearing their bridge.

Crowns and dentures are alternatives to a dental bridge.
Please find below a link to our Crown and Denture page.

At Dental & Skin we offer a range of materials and bridges to best suit our patients. We are confident in their design, that we offer a 5 year guarantee on all bridges.

We utilise the latest techniques, designs and materials to offer predictable and long-term dental bridges.

At Dental & Skin we strive to create the most natural looking bridges as we value how important your smile is.

At our Islington clinic we offer weekend and evening appointments to work around your busy schedule.