Dental Bridge

Dental Bridge | Crayford | Private Dentist

Dental Bridge in Crayford, we'd love to help

Does a missing tooth mean you have to chew on just one side of your mouth?

A dental bridge may be the answer you’ve been seeking.

With a dental bridge, the clue is in the name: two healthy teeth provide support for a bridge which replaces a missing tooth. This treatment can be a lower cost solution than a dental implant, and it is less intrusive. However, the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap need to be prepared before the dental bridge can be fitted. You can even arrange to have a dental bridge to replace a tooth due to be extracted.

During the procedure we will prepare the two support teeth, getting them in a condition for the dental bridge to bond to them. When the dental bridge is bonded, the end result is that it appears you have three healthy teeth. We just need to ensure you have those two healthy teeth on both sides of the gap for a traditional dental bridge to be an option for you.

More about Dental Bridge

Dental bridges are subject to a wide price range, and the cost to you will be dependent on how much prep work is necessary on the two teeth supporting the bridge. It is normally best to have an appointment with the hygienist to ensure your gums are healthy and  get your teeth cleaned up.

Yes, it is possible to have dental bridges for more than one tooth. The technique is called a cantilever dental bridge. It is like a normal dental bridge, but rather than using two healthy teeth on either side of the gap it relies on just one. It gives you the same solution but uses a different technique.

A dental implant bridge is another alternative solution if you do not have two healthy teeth to bond a dental bridge too. As the name suggests we fit a dental implant to act as the anchor tooth and bond a dental bridge to it. This is a cost-effective way of bridging a three-tooth gap when one implant is fitted and a three-tooth bridge bonded to it, rather than fitting three dental implants.

Dental bridge treatment begins with a one-hour appointment. Here impressions will be taken of your teeth which allows our laboratory to build a dental bridge which will blend with your existing teeth. We can fit a temporary bridge while you wait for the permanent bridge to be built and sent to our practice. Approximately two weeks later we will call you back in to fit your bespoke dental bridge.

With different options available based on your circumstances, the best course of action is to arrange a dental consultation. Here we can x-ray your teeth and let you know all the treatment options available to you. We can advise you on the pros and cons of each option and give you a personal quotation for our recommended treatment. We will leave the final decision to you to make in your own time.

The lifespan of a dental bridge is generally five to ten years. Because of this timeframe, you may find that dental implants are a better solution as they can last a lifetime.

In almost all cases, dental implants are a better choice than dental bridges. This is because they require no support from adjacent teeth as a dental bridge does. Dental implants are a permanent solution that act as standalone teeth – look after them and they will last a lifetime.

Dental Bridge - The Process

Step 1

Dental Bridge Examination

You are thinking about the benefit of getting a dental bridge. To make an informed decision arrange a dental check-up and tell us you are thinking about a dental bridge. We’ll look at the area where the bridge would go and tell you what your options are. It may help if we take an x-ray to understand what is happening below the surface.

Step 1

Step 2

Dental Bridge Preparation

In a one-hour appointment we will prep your supporting teeth so that they are ready for the dental bridge to be bonded with them and fill the gap caused by the missing tooth. In the meantime your bespoke dental bridge will be being made. In the interim we can even fit a temporary dental bridge.

Step 2

Step 3

Dental Bridge Fitting

We will let you know when your final dental bridge is ready. You will come in for a half-hour appointment where the temporary bridge will be replaced with your custom-made dental bridge.

Step 3

Dental Bridge Examples

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We Remain Open

In light of the latest government announcement on the 4th January 2021, we will remain open during lockdown 3.0.

Our patient and staff safety is of the highest importance to us. We continue to follow strict protocols within the practice using the correct PPE.

If you have an appointment already booked, please attend as normal unless you or someone in your household is experiencing any Covid 19 symptoms, then please call us to rearrange.

If you have any urgent questions, please feel free to get in touch with our team who are always happy to answer any of your questions or concerns.