Dental Bridge
Dental Bridge | Hadleigh | Private Dentist
Dental Bridge in Hadleigh, we'd love to help
Is a missing tooth forcing you to chew on just one side of your mouth?
A dental bridge could be just the solution you’ve been looking for.
The clue is in the name when it comes to dental bridges: a missing tooth is replaced by a bridge while two healthy teeth provide support on either side. This treatment is often cheaper than a dental implant, and it is also less invasive. Before the dental bridge can be installed, it’s worth remembering that the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap will require some preparation. A dental bridge can also be used to replace a tooth that is due to be extracted.
First of all we will prepare the two support teeth, getting them ready for the dental bridge to bond to them. Once the dental bridge is in place, you will be left with the appearance of three healthy teeth. The main requirement for a traditional dental bridge is that you have those two healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
More about Dental Bridge
The cost of a dental bridge can vary greatly depending on how much preparation work is needed on the two teeth supporting the bridge. It is a good idea to make an appointment with the hygienist beforehand to get your teeth cleaned and make sure your gums are healthy.
Yes, you can have dental bridges for more than one tooth. This technique is known as a cantilever dental bridge. It is similar to a normal dental bridge, but instead of using two healthy teeth on either side of the gap, it only needs one. The technique is slightly different, but the outcome is the same.
Not everyone has two healthy teeth to bond a dental bridge to. In this case, a dental implant bridge is an alternative solution. Once again, the clue is in the name. We install a dental implant to act as the anchor tooth, and then we attach a dental bridge to it. This provides a great value option for bridging a three-tooth gap. Instead of fitting three separate dental implants, a single implant can be fitted and a three-tooth bridge attached to it.
The first step in a dental bridge treatment is a one-hour appointment. During this session we’ll scan your teeth, giving our lab the chance to create a dental bridge that will fit perfectly with your existing teeth. It will take about two weeks for your permanent bridge to be built and sent to us, so we’ll fit a temporary bridge in the meantime. We’ll give you a call when your new bespoke dental bridge is ready to be fitted.
There are several options available depending on your circumstances, so we’d recommend that you arrange a dental consultation first. This allows us to x-ray your teeth and talk you through the different treatment options. We’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of each option and provide you with a personalised treatment recommendation.
A dental bridge usually lasts somewhere between five and ten years. Because of this limited lifespan, you might prefer dental implants which can last a lifetime.
For most patients, dental implants are the best option. This is because, unlike a dental bridge, they don’t rely on the support of adjacent teeth. Dental implants solve the problem permanently by acting as standalone teeth – take good care of them and they will last the rest of your life.
Dental Bridge - The Process
Dental Bridge Examples
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