What is a dental bridge?
A bridge is a restoration to replace a missing tooth. It may be fused to crowns on the adjacent teeth or it can be attached to the adjacent teeth with cement.
If you have one or more missing teeth, we can restore the balance of your smile very effectively with bridge treatments.
When a lost tooth is replaced with bridgework, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepared as crowns in order to hold the prosthetic in place.
With bridge treatments, smiles showing gaps from missing teeth can be restored to their natural state.
What is a denture?
A denture is a removable, custom-made alternative if you are missing teeth. Dentures are made out of plastic and/or metal; your dental practitioner will have chosen the material which is best for your mouth.
Dentures can replace all of your teeth or just a few missing teeth; these are called full and partial dentures respectively. Partial dentures often have wire clasps to help keep them stable. Full dentures rely on the gums and suction to keep them in place.
Benefits of bridges
- Reduces the risk of infection and gum disease
- Restores the shape, size and appearance of your tooth
- Stabilises your teeth
- Improves the ability to chew.
- Prevents the teeth near the gap from shifting.
Why would I need a bridge?
- Replacement tooth, or teeth
- Change the appearance of the teeth.
- Support and protection to compromised teeth.
- Restoration of the normal function of your teeth.
Why would I need a denture?
- Dentures can replace all of your teeth or just a few missing teeth
If you have a space from a missing tooth, a Dental Bridge will be custom made to fill in the space with a false tooth. The false tooth is attached by the bridge to the two other teeth around the space – bridging them together
In the case of many or all missing teeth, a denture may be more appropriate.
The procedure for a bridge requires two appointments.
At the first dentist appointment the teeth are prepared to make room for the supporting crowns. An impression (or, mould) is then taken for production at the laboratory, and a plastic temporary bridge fitted for the interim period. Laboratory production takes approximately 2 weeks.
At the subsequent visit, the temporary bridge is removed and the final bridge is permanently cemented into place.
How are dentures made?
Your dentist will need to take at least one impression of your teeth and record the way your jaws meet
together.
A trial denture will be made so your dentist can check the fit, bite and appearance of the
denture. The trial denture will then be used to construct a plastic and/or metal denture. If you’ve chosen full dentures, the same process occurs using impressions of your gums instead of teeth.
The trial denture gives you the opportunity to have input into the way the denture looks and works. It’s important that you tell your dentist if you’re unhappy before the plastic and/or metal denture is made.
Denture creation can take some time depending on the complexity of the denture. Your dentist will advise you when to schedule appointments.
Commonly Asked Questions
It is important to maintain a regular effective oral hygiene routine including brushing, flossing and dental checkups to ensure your bridges or dentures are well taken care of.
We also recommend avoiding sticky foods, gum and hard crunchy food.
It’s important to understand that dentures aren’t the same as natural teeth. It may take you some time to adapt to them.
Your dentist will give you advice and an information sheet to help you as you adapt to having your dentures.
Contact Us
Schedule Your Next Appointment or Send Us An Enquiry