Ace Dental

If you have missing teeth, then a bridge could be one of the best options for you. As the name would suggest, it ‘bridges’ the gap between your existing teeth, with false teeth attached to the bridge in order to fill any gaps that might be left. In this way, you can get a full mouth of teeth without anyone ever needing to know that you even had a gap in the first place.

What are the benefits of dental bridges?

There are a number of benefits to dental bridges including:

  • Improving a smile that you may have been self-conscious about for a long time
  • Giving you the ability to chew food naturally, meaning you don’t have to cut out any specific food types anymore
  • The shape of your face as a whole will be maintained
  • The teeth that you have remaining will be kept in place, rather than being allowed to drift into a gap left by missing teeth

What kinds of dental bridges will my dentist choose from?

On the whole, there are three types of bridges that can be used, and your dentist will make an informed decision about which one would be the best for you. The bridge types are as follows:

  • Traditional bridges: these will require you to have a crown placed on the tooth either side of the gap, in order to hold the false tooth in place. These are made from porcelain.
  • Maryland bonded bridges: these are made from porcelain and will be supported by a framework, which is usually made from metal. There will be bonded to your existing teeth, but often only on one side.
  • Cantilever bridges: this is the best option where there are only adjacent teeth on one side. This is usually only used in the front of the mouth, as there is too much pressure when used on the teeth at the back.

What does the procedure involve?

The first thing to do is to come and see us to make a decision about whether a bridge is indeed the ideal choice for you. We will take a look at your teeth, ask you lots of questions, and usually take an x-ray to assess your bone density and structure. Once this has been done, we can come to a decision about whether a bridge would be the best choice for your requirements.

Once we have decided together that the procedure will take place, you will be offered your first appointment. Here, the teeth on either side of the bridge will be prepared, and a small layer of enamel will need to be removed from each side. Impressions will be taken of your teeth so that the bridge and crowns can be created. You will be given a temporary bridge until your next appointment.

Then, at your second appointment, the temporary bridge will be taken out and replaced with the one that has been made for you, and it can be adjusted as needed to ensure that it’s comfortable for your mouth. 

How to take care of a bridge

If you take care of your bridge and crowns properly, you should find that it will last for 15 years or longer. This means that it is certainly worth taking care of your mouth properly. You should brush twice a day, and use mouthwash, as this will help to avoid any kind of infection that could lead to tooth loss in the future. You will also need to floss on a regular basis and make sure that you keep up to date with check-ups with your dentist.

You should find that your bridge allows you to eat and speak more comfortably, therefore having a positive impact on your overall quality of life. With this being true, if you feel that your missing teeth could be solved with a dental bridge, just contact us and we would be more than happy to invite you in for a chat with one of our experts.

Call on 020 7485 3711 to find out how our team can help you improve your smile.

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