Bridges

You need to clean your bridge every day, to prevent problems such as bad breath and gum disease. You also have to clean under the false tooth every day. Your dentist or hygienist will show you how to use special floss, if a normal toothbrush cannot reach.

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. Your dentist will keep an eye on your bridge and overall oral health at your regular check up appointments.

The main types of dental bridges are conventional bridges and adhesive bridges. Conventional bridges use crowns placed over the adjacent teeth for robust support, but this can mean that some tooth structure first needs to be removed. Adhesive bridges are less invasive, using small metal or ceramic wings bonded to the back of the neighbouring teeth for support, and can be a good solution in many cases.

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.