A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth instead of seeing a gap in the mirror or when you smile. Many patients haven’t considered that filling a gap may also help spread the land away from their remaining teeth, which is another important consideration for dental health.
DENTAL TREATMENTS
A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth instead of seeing a gap in the mirror or when you smile. Many patients haven’t considered that filling a gap may also help spread the land away from their remaining teeth, which is another important consideration for dental health. A bridge holds a replacement tooth in the gap by attaching it to the teeth either side of the gap.
You may find a bridge more convenient and discreet than a removable denture as it is “fixed” in place.
We can secure a bridge to healthy teeth or to dental implants. In fact, bridges offer solutions to a range of problems. We’ll discuss all the pros and cons of fitting a bridge before planning your treatment.
Bridges can restore your function for chewing, look natural and can improve social confidence.
As with all our treatments at VIDA, we aim for beautiful natural aesthetics and use the highest quality materials when working on dental bridges.
Due to advances in materials, the preparation of the teeth used to support bridges is often carried out more conservatively than in previous times.
In general terms, if the teeth either side of a space have never had any dentistry, a VIDA dentist would prefer to leave these teeth alone and usually an implant in the gap would be a more protective approach than a bridge.
However if the teeth either side of the gap have large fillings or crowns, there could be some additional benefit to protecting these teeth within a traditional bridge.
Some gaps are suitable to a very conservative style of bridge, which goes by many different names: a Maryland, Rochette, sticky or adhesive bridge, or minimally invasive bridge all refer to this style of bridge. The main downside is they may come off more frequently than other styles of bridge, depending on individual factors, which a VIDA dentist can assess for you. Many patients are very happy with this style of bridge especially at the front of the mouth.
During your first visit for a dental bridge, the teeth or dental implants being used to support the bridge — known as the abutment teeth — will be prepared. This involves recontouring the teeth by removing some of the enamel to allow room for the bridge. Your bespoke bridge will be made by our expert technicians using a model of the prepared teeth.
During your second visit your temporary bridge will be removed and the new porcelain or metal bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to give you a perfect and comfortable fit.
You may require a temporary bridge to protect the teeth while the bridge is made. Your VIDA dentist will ensure this fit comfortably and discreetly before you leave your appointment.
Longer term we monitor the gum and bone levels around your bridges very closely, and check very carefully for any gaps in the join between the bridge and your teeth, which can lead to decay.
You will be shown exactly how to care from your bridge to maximise its lifespan.
