What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a fixed solution to replace a missing tooth or to fill a gap between teeth.

There are two main types of bridges – traditional bridges and adhesive bridges.

What is a traditional bridge?

Traditional bridge treatment involves filing down the teeth next to the gap. A bridge is then fabricated to replace the missing tooth.

A conventional bridge can be supported by one neighbouring tooth, usually the tooth behind the gap. This type of bridge is called a cantilever bridge.

A bridge can also be supported by the teeth on either side of the gap. This type of bridge is potentially a lot more invasive as it requires two teeth to be filed down to support the bridge.

What are the advantages of a traditional bridge?

• Does not require surgery
• Treatment is completed in fewer appointments compared to implants
• Is less expensive than dental implants in the short term
• It is a stable and fixed option that does not have to be removed from your mouth
• It looks and feels natural

What are the disadvantages of a traditional bridge?

• The neighbouring teeth have to be filed down to accept the bridge. This can weaken them.
• There is an increased risk of the tooth that supports the bridge developing decay or becoming damaged
• Around 30% of teeth that support a bridge will experience some form of complication requiring further treatment. This often makes it a more expensive option compared to dental implants over the longer term.
• If neighbouring teeth need to be extracted in the future, you will then be left with a larger gap requiring two or more teeth to be replaced.

Will the fitting of the bridge be painful?

No, you will be given a local anaesthetic before the procedure to block out any pain. There will also be appropriate checks to ensure that you can bite correctly with the bridge in place and that it is a comfortable fit.

What is an adhesive bridge?

An adhesive bridge is a false tooth that is attached to a metal wing that is glued to the inside and biting surface of the neighbouring tooth.

What are the advantages of an adhesive bridge?

• It is a stable and fixed option that does not need to be removed from your mouth
• It is simple to make and often does not require any drilling or injections
• It is fabricated and fitted in two appointments.

What are the disadvantages of an adhesive bridge?

• The biting and inside surface of the neighbouring tooth will be covered by the metal wing and will be silver coloured
• The bone below the false tooth will continue to shrink over time as there is no force going through it
• The metal wing glued to the neighbouring tooth may cause a temporary alteration to the bite
• The bridge may de-cement and come off from time to time. This is not a major complication and the bridge can be re-cemented relatively easily. It rarely causes harm to the supporting natural tooth.

 What does the procedure involve?

A mould of your teeth and gums is created. This is so that the bridge can be custom-made to your individual requirements. Adhesive bridges often require no or very minimal drilling. The procedure to prepare an adhesive bridge is carried out without injections in most cases.

The impressions or moulds of your teeth are sent to a specialist dental laboratory where the bridge is made. When the bridge is made and returned from the laboratory it is cemented in place and is often carried out without the need for an injection.

How long will an adhesive bridge last?

Research indicates that 88% of adhesive bridges survive five years or more and 65% survive ten years or more.