Bridges

You must clean your bridge daily to prevent issues like bad breath and gum disease. This also includes cleaning under the false tooth. Your dentist or hygienist will show you how to use specialised cleaning tools, such as floss threaders or interdental brushes, as a regular toothbrush can’t reach this area effectively.

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.

The main alternatives to bridges for replacing missing teeth are partial dentures and dental implants. Bridges are seen as a more secure alternative to partial dentures, as they are fixed into place and will not move or slip. Implants are seen as superior in durability and aesthetics but are more expensive. Bridges can be used in combination with implants to replace more than one missing tooth.

Bridges are typically made from porcelain fused to a metal base for exceptional strength and durability, or from all-ceramic materials for the best aesthetic result, which is often preferred for visible front teeth.

The procedure to prepare the supporting teeth is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain during the treatment. You may experience some temporary sensitivity or mild discomfort in the supporting teeth and gums for a few days afterwards, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

Yes, a bridge can be designed to replace multiple missing teeth in a row. The number of false teeth a bridge can support depends on the strength and health of the natural teeth (or implants) at either end of the gap.