A dental bridge is an appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth. These appliances are cemented into place and cannot be removed by the patient.

As the name implies, the bridge is made out of three pieces that fit into the open space in the mouth, "bridging" the gap. Most bridges are made of a pontic tooth (or false tooth), held together by two crowns (a "cap" that covers the tooth, approximating its normal size and shape). This trio is then attached (cemented) to the surrounding teeth of each side of the gap.

Types of Dental Bridges. There are three types of dental bridges:

Traditional bridge:
This type of dental bridge consists of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap, with a false tooth in between. Traditional bridges are the most commonly used type of bridge and are made of ceramic or porcelain fused to metal.

Cantilever bridge:
This type of dental bridge is used when there are teeth on only one side of the gap in the mouth.

Maryland bonded bridge:
This type of dental bridge is made up of plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal framework.

The procedure:
During the first visit, the surrounding teeth are prepared. Preparation involves re contouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. Then the dentist will make impressions of the patient's teeth, which serve as a model from which the bridge, pontic, and crowns will be made by a dental laboratory. The dentist will make a temporary bridge for the patient to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the bridge is being made.

During the second visit, the temporary bridge will be removed and the new permanent one will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit. Multiple visits may be required to check the fit of the metal framework and bite. This is dependent on each individual's case. If the dental bridge is a fixed (permanent) bridge, the dentist may temporarily cement it in place for a couple of weeks to make sure it is fitting properly. After a couple weeks, the bridge is permanently cemented into place.

Call 020 7240 1778 for more information or click here