Having a gap in your smile can be a knock to self-confidence. Bridges offer a long-lasting and secure way to replace a missing tooth and restore your smile. Using crowns on either side of the replacement tooth, bridges use your natural teeth to support the restoration. The bridge is colour-matched to blend in naturally, made from porcelain that perfectly mimics natural teeth.
Bridges can also be fitted to implants and can be used to replace more than one tooth.
As well as traditional bridges, featuring crowns and a false tooth in between, there are also cantilever bridges, for cases where there are teeth on only one side of the gap, and Maryland bonded bridges, which are attached to existing teeth with metal or ceramic wings.
As well as restoring an incomplete smile, bridges can offer a host of other benefits, including:
While the bridge is resistant to decay, the natural teeth supporting it are not. Good oral hygiene is essential to ensure the longevity of your bridge. It is especially important to clean under the false tooth, as well as brushing and flossing regularly.
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.