A dental bridge is a form of dental prosthetic that replaces a tooth or teeth that have been lost to dental decay or physical trauma. It consists of an artificial tooth attached either side of the missing tooth either by dental crowns, or if the teeth are in good condition, with resin-bonded metal strips.

Missing teeth can be very troublesome not to mention painful. They can cause long-term problems that can affect all the other teeth in the mouth as well as the joints and muscles of the face and neck. This happens when teeth rotate and shift into the space created by the missing tooth. This causes interruptions in the way the top and bottom teeth sit together, also known as bite. This can be a great source of irritation and can eventually lead to a very unpleasant jaw condition called TMJ.

It is therefore very important to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible. Dental bridges have been around for a long time but recent improvements in dental technology have led to improvements in treatment. The artificial tooth, known as the pontic, can be made from porcelain and chosen to closely match the colour of the other teeth for a more realistic appearance. A bridge will take several visits to a London SE1 dentist to fit, especially if the bridge is being attached using crowns.

Once fitted, the bridge may take some getting used to when talking and eating but after a while will be able to achieve almost everything possible with a real tooth and the cosmetic appearance of the teeth will have been fully restored. Dental bridges can last up to twenty years if properly maintained and cleaned regularly like other teeth. It is also advisable to make regular trips to the dentist to examine the bridge for any signs of weakness.

A dentist from SE1 in London explaining the procedure and the definition of a Dental Bridge, says that it is quite a simple procedure to perform. A Dental Bridge is exactly what it appears to be, a bridge that covers an area of the teeth line to join a gap. The gap is usually cause by the extraction of a bad or damaged tooth, the false tooth is made up and attached to two other false teeth either side. The two teeth either side of the gap are ground down to facilitate the side teeth and literally rest on top of them, the replaced tooth then fills the gap. They are known as a Pontic from the French and Latin word for a bridge. The procedure is quite simple and is usually pain and discomfort free, albeit the patient will need a little time to get used to the new tooth. The bridge helps to fill gaps where food and bacteria can accumulate and cause gum disease, it also assists in cases where the smile and even the face may be distorted due to a missing tooth. This is a preventative method of dental care as opposed to a purely cosmetic one, and it is essential in all cases of missing teeth to prevent other problems occurring later on. The most common type of Dental Bridges in use is the fixed bridge, which consists of a metal base covered in a porcelain coating and fixed permanently to the line of teeth with a cement solution. Other types are made of plastic and are again fitted using an invisible solution of resin, this includes the Maryland Bridge. The other common type is a Cantilever Bridge which is used when there is only one tooth available to anchor to.

Just as a real bridge is used to fill the area between two pieces of land, a dental bridge is used to fill the gap between two teeth. These gaps in the dental arc are caused by teeth lost either due to decay or accident. It can be a very embarrassing situation for patients who have a missing tooth, particularly if it is a prominent or visible one. But beyond the cosmetic damage a missing tooth can cause, there are also some very serious physiological conditions that can occur from missing teeth.

If a tooth has been lost in the front of the dental arc then it can cause the other teeth to rotate or lean into the empty space. This can turn an otherwise straight and even smile into an unattractive and crooked one. This can also be the cause of malocclusion or bite interruption that can lead to painful jaw conditions called TMJ. Vacant teeth spaces can also act as difficult-to-clean bacteria traps. This can lead to bacterial infection that can cause further tooth damage. It is therefore very important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible.

Dental bridges are fitted by London SE1 dentists using a combination of an artificial tooth, composite resin bonding and dental crowns. A crown on each of the abutment teeth on either side of the gap act as support for the new tooth which sits on top of the gum. In cases where patient’s teeth are very healthy otherwise the dentist may choose to use metal strips to attach the artificial tooth rather than dental crowns.

Dental bridges usually last for between 10 and 15 years but in some cases, when properly cared for, they can last a lot longer. Ask a dentist about dental bridges if you are suffering from a missing tooth.