Bridges

What is a Bridge?

Bridges are a semi-permanent replacement of a missing tooth or teeth. The missing tooth is fixed to healthy adjacent teeth.

A bridge is when a missing tooth or teeth are replaced by artificial teeth that are permanently supported by the adjacent teeth.

This can be used in the place of dentures or implants.

Not all spaces can be filled with a bridge. The supporting teeth have to be strong and healthy.

Your dentist will usually take x-rays and models of your teeth, before deciding that a bridge is for you.

This picture shows a bridge that is replacing a missing front tooth that was lost in an accident. It is using the teeth either side of the gap as support.

This particular bridge is eleven years old.

The appearance is usually very good (others cannot easily tell that it is there), and can be an excellent alternative to a denture or implant.

Types of Bridge:

There are two main types of bridge:

• A Fixed Bridge: The supporting teeth are trimmed and covered with a crown, and the artificial tooth is permanently attached to this. This is a stronger bridge, but is more destructive to the adjacent teeth.
  

• An Adhesive Bridge: The artificial tooth has 'wings' attached that wrap around the backs of adjacent teeth. This is then glued in place. This is a much less destructive bridge, but occasionally becomes unglued. These are only used where the biting forces are not excessive.