A dental bridge is a false tooth which is fused between two crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. Even if your missing teeth are causing no discomfort, dental bridges are recommended for preventing potential future problems.

 These could include bite distortion, caused by your remaining teeth shifting to fill the gap, and vulnerability to gum disease and jaw pain. Just like crowns, bridges are usually created from porcelain or precious metal, and are an excellent fixed alternative to dentures.

Also known as a fixed bridge, it can be used to replace one or more missing teeth, but cannot be taken out of your mouth.

A dental bridge is so called because it is used to bridge the gap created by a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. The gap is bridged by inserting an artificial tooth, known as a pontic, in the gap, which is anchored in place by attaching it to the teeth on either side of the gap, known as abutments, through the use of crowns.

A bridge is one of two options to deal with the problem of a missing tooth. The alternative to having a bridge fitted is a dental implant. A bridge is only an option if the supporting teeth on either side of the missing one have sufficient strength to be able to support the bridge.

It is a fixed dental restoration, not a temporary, removable one. Once it has been fixed in place, it can only be removed by a dentist. With proper care and oral hygiene, the lifespan of a dental bridge should be 10+ years.

The new artificial tooth will be made of metal, porcelain, or a combination of both, depending on the location of the tooth and its function. They can generally be matched to the colour of your natural teeth.

You’ll be given a local anaesthetic during the bridge preparation and fitting stages, and the procedure is no more painful or uncomfortable than having a dental filling. How many visits to the clinic it takes to have a bridge fitted is dependent on each individual’s specific case, however, normally 2-3 visits are required.