Bridges

A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. It consists of an artificial tooth joined or fixed to the natural teeth on either side of the missing tooth. There are two main types of bridges:

             A bridge where the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are crowned. This can involve quite a lot of work on the natural teeth adjacent to the gap. Bridges involving crowning the teeth are les common than in the past.  This is because in many cases an implant is preferable.  An implant does not involve touching or drilling the teeth on either side of the missing tooth.  The other reason why implants are replacing bridges is that it is often difficult to repair or modify a bridge.  If a bridge develops problems then it may have to be redone from scratch. Or one bad tooth can bring the whole structure crashing down (like the house of straw).

 

             A Maryland bridge is a bridge where the artificial tooth is bonded onto the teeth on either side.  In this type of bridge there is minimal drilling and touching of the natural teeth.

A Maryland bridge is often a cheap simple alternative for replacing a missing tooth. In most cases the worst that can happen is that the bridge can come off.  Normally if that was to happen there would be little damage to the underlying teeth.

 

Cleaning around bridges requires extra attention.  The floss needs to be threaded under the bridge. ‘Superfloss’ is a brand of floss that has been designed to be threaded under a bridge.

 

What can go wrong with a bridge?

· The porcelain can chip off

· The bridge can become loose and fall off (more relevant for Maryland bridges)

· The underlying teeth can decay, break or the nerves may die

· If cleaning is inadequate the adjacent teeth can develop gum problems

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of bridges replacing front teeth.