Dentists in Derby, Derbyshire 44 Main Street, Etwall, Derby, Derbyshire DE65 6LP
01283 733391
Dentists in Derby, Derbyshire 44 Main Street, Etwall, Derby, Derbyshire DE65 6LP
01283 733391
Replacing missing teeth is a more common procedure than you may think. Many patients visit Etwall Dental Practice, concerned with the look of their smile. When patients have poor oral health and do not regularly practice dental care, they run the risk of ultimately losing teeth through the likes of gum disease. Added to that the risk of injury or sporting accident, dental bridge procedures are now frequently requested by many.
A dental bridge quite literally bridges the gap left by missing teeth in your mouth. The bridge itself is a false tooth, commonly referred to as a pontic, that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. The abutment teeth are your natural teeth or dental implants.
Pontics can be made of a variety of materials such as gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Typically they’re made from porcelain, to ensure an aesthetic blend with your natural teeth.
There are four main types of dental bridges available to patients: traditional, cantilever, Maryland & implant-supported.
A traditional dental bridge is a false tooth being held in place by dental crowns, that are situated on the abutment teeth. This procedure will be used when patients have natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by a missing tooth.
A very similar treatment to the traditional dental bridge, a cantilever dental bridge is held in place by a dental crown, which is cemented to just one abutment tooth. For this procedure, a patient would only need a singular natural tooth next to the gap.
Maryland dental bridges again operate in a similar way to traditional bridges. They make use of the two natural abutment teeth on each side of the gap. The key difference is that, instead of using dental crowns, the Maryland bridge uses either porcelain or metal, which is bonded to the backs of the abutment teeth. This treatment can only be used when a patient has both natural teeth on each side of the gap.
As its name implies, implant-supported bridges use dental implants, rather than crowns or frameworks. In a usual circumstance, one implant is surgically placed for every missing tooth, which holds the bridge in position. When one implant for each missing tooth isn’t possible, pontics will be suspended between two implant-supported crowns.
Dental bridges offer a long-term solution for missing teeth. Dental bridges can replace missing teeth without surgery, which makes them a preferred procedure to dental implants. With porcelain finishes available, a new false tooth will be almost indistinguishable from the natural teeth surrounding it.
Dental bridges offer the following benefits:
After an initial consultation, Etwall Dental Practice dentists will take an impression of your mouth. A plaster mould will be taken of your teeth and gums, so your dental bridge is unique to your mouth. This is the point where our dentists will determine the colour shade for your bridge, so it closely matches your natural teeth. Whilst your custom-made bridge is being crafted, our dentists may fit a temporary solution, such as a plastic bridge or crown.
Once it’s time to fit your new bridge, a local anaesthetic will be administered, blocking any pain from your gums. You will, however, remain awake during the procedure. Our dentists will ensure there is a comfortable fit and that you can bite correctly with the bridge in place.
Maintain your oral health or get expert medical advice from Etwall Dental Practice, today. If you feel as though you may require dental treatment, please get in touch with us via phone on 01283 733391 or fill out our contact form and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
With proper care and maintenance a well-made dental bridge can last anywhere from ten to fifteen years, and in some cases significantly longer. The longevity of your bridge depends on the material it is made from, where it is positioned in the mouth, how well you maintain your oral hygiene, and whether you attend regular check-up appointments. Our team at Etwall Dental Practice will monitor the condition of your bridge at each visit to identify any potential issues early. The abutment teeth supporting the bridge also need to remain in good health for the bridge to stay secure.
The process of fitting a dental bridge is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should not experience any pain during the procedure. Some sensitivity or mild discomfort in the days following the preparation of the abutment teeth is normal as the anaesthetic wears off, but this settles quickly and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Once your permanent bridge is fitted some patients notice a brief adjustment period as they become accustomed to the feel of the bridge. If you experience persistent pain, significant sensitivity, or discomfort with your bite after the bridge is fitted please contact us so that we can assess and adjust it.
Yes, a dental bridge can be used to replace more than one consecutive missing tooth. A bridge designed to span a larger gap is sometimes called an extended or multi-unit bridge and works in the same way as a standard bridge, with a series of false teeth (pontics) supported by the abutment teeth or implants on either side of the gap. The wider the span of the bridge the more carefully it needs to be planned to ensure the supporting teeth can bear the additional load. Your dentist at Etwall Dental Practice will assess the suitability of a bridge for your particular situation and may also discuss implant-supported bridges as an alternative for larger gaps.
Cleaning a dental bridge requires a little extra attention compared to cleaning natural teeth. Because the false tooth (pontic) sits against the gum rather than being rooted within it, food particles and bacteria can accumulate in the space beneath the bridge. In addition to regular brushing you will need to clean beneath the bridge using dental floss threaders or interdental brushes. These tools allow you to thread cleaning equipment between the bridge and the gumline to remove any debris. Our hygienist at Etwall Dental Practice can demonstrate the most effective technique for keeping your bridge and the surrounding gum tissue clean, which is important for the long-term success of the restoration.
For traditional and cantilever bridges the teeth adjacent to the gap (abutment teeth) need to be prepared to accommodate the crowns that anchor the bridge. This involves reshaping the natural tooth structure, which is irreversible — those teeth will need to be crowned regardless of whether the bridge remains in place in the future. Maryland bridges require less tooth preparation as they are bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth. Implant-supported bridges do not require any modification to neighbouring natural teeth at all, making them preferable from a tooth conservation standpoint. Your dentist will discuss the full implications of each option with you before any treatment begins.
Both a dental bridge and a dental implant are effective solutions for replacing a missing tooth but differ in how they are supported and their impact on surrounding teeth. A bridge relies on the adjacent natural teeth as anchor points, which requires those teeth to be prepared and crowned. An implant is a titanium fixture surgically placed directly into the jawbone, acting as an artificial root that does not affect neighbouring teeth. Crucially, implants stimulate the jawbone and help to prevent the bone loss that naturally occurs after tooth loss. Implants tend to be more expensive upfront but offer greater long-term stability and are considered the gold standard in tooth replacement. Our team can help you weigh up both options.
