A dental bridge is a fixed restoration which replaces missing teeth and gives you a beautiful, natural-looking smile.
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth which is anchored by another tooth in you mouth, literally ‘bridging’ the gap left by a lost tooth. Dental bridges are fixed restorations, which means they can only be removed by your dentist.
What types of bridges are used for dental restoration work?
- Adhesive Bridges: These bridges are applied to the inside of the teeth surrounding the gap. These bridges often do not need the adjacent tooth to be cut down
- Conventional Bridges: Conventional bridges use an adjacent tooth or teeth to retain the prosthetic tooth . They require the adjacent tooth to trimmed to the correct shape to allow the bridge to be placed.
- Implant-Retained Bridges: These bridges use dental implants to achieve a natural-looking, restorative result. They have an advantage that they do not involve cuttting or glueing anything to the adjacent teeth.
How long does a bridge last?
With proper care, your dental bridge can last for up to 15 years. It is important to remember that bridges require high levels of care and oral hygiene as the area beneath the bridge must be kept clean to prevent problems. Your dentist or hygienist will advise you on how to care for your new bridge.