When you have a gap, if the gap has a tooth next to it, you can sometimes fill this with a “bridge”. A bridge is a Crowned tooth (a cap covering your natural tooth) that supports one or more false teeth (crowns). The result is a bridge in the gap that is fixed, cleansable, looks natural and allows you to eat and chew. As with most things in dentistry, they do not last forever (average lifespan approximately 5-10 years) and are only a viable option is very specific cases.
A bridge uses the considerable skill of the dentist and technician, and in this way, it’s similar to ordering a piece of hand-made jewellery.
Bridges are usually made of a precious metal with a porcelain covering
Once assessed that your space is suitable for a bridge, the supporting tooth needs to be prepared under local anaesthetic and impressions are taken and sent to a lab.
It takes 2 weeks for them to construct a bridge, over which period you have a temporary crown in the space.
Once received from the lab, we remove the temporary crown and cement (glue) the bridge in.
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 a bridge needle or special floss, as a normal toothbrush cannot reach.
