Whether you have lost a tooth through an accident or if it has been extracted, bridges can effectively and reliably fill the gaps in your smile. Made either from porcelain fused 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.
You need to clean your bridge every day, to prevent problems such as bad breath and gum disease. You also have to clean under the false tooth every day. Your dentist or hygienist will show you how to use special floss, as a normal toothbrush cannot reach.
Although a bridge may seem costly they can be a wise investment that will give many years of good service. It will also improve your appearance and bite. A bridge uses the considerable skill of the dentist and technician, and in this way, it’s similar to ordering a piece of hand-made jewellery.
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.
The main alternatives to bridges for replacing missing teeth are partial dentures and dental implants. Bridges are seen as a more secure alternative to partial dentures, as they are fixed into place and will not move or slip. Implants are seen as superior in durability and aesthetics, but are more expensive. Bridges can be used in combination with implants to replace more than one missing tooth.