Dental Bridges

A bridge is a replacement for one or more missing teeth. It is a good solution if you don’t have many missing teeth, or if your missing teeth are all on one side of your mouth. It can help restore a full smile and cover missing teeth.

What to expect

If you have a Maryland bridge then you will have a single false tooth with two metal “wings” attached to other teeth which are glued on. If you have full coverage then the adjacent tooth is drilled down to a stump. This time the bridge will look like 2 or more teeth joined together. The teeth are hollow to allow them to be glued to the stumps of your natural teeth. Full coverage bridges run the risk of damaging the nerve which will require root canal treatment.

FAQ

• What is the price? – For an NHS or a private patient, costs are around £200. However if a more complex bridge then it will have to be done by a specialist who will charge a lot more.
• how long will it last? – If bridges are properly taken care of then they can last quite a few years. If proper care is not taken of them then they will have to be replaced. Maryland bridges tend to last around 3 years before needing to be reattached whereas full coverage does not have this problem.
• Can I have temporary ones? – We are happy to provide you with removable dentures as an alternative there are also removable bridges however they are only available if there is a small number of missing teeth
• Does my mouth need any special care? – Regular cleaning of your teeth is already necessary, with a bridge you will also have to clean out underneath the false tooth. Along with this, you will need to floss regularly around that area to keep the bridge clean and stop it from failing. Finally, you will also need to visit the hygienist regularly so that they can maintain your health.