bridges

a bridge is a false tooth, or teeth, that is attached to the teeth on one or both sides of the gap – essentially ‘bridging’ the space between two teeth where a tooth has been lost.

the advantage of a bridge compared to dentures is that it is fixed in the mouth – you do not have to take it in and out. This means you can eat, drink and speak much more confidently and clean your mouth better. however, unlike dentures which are considered to be very conservative, placing a bridge in the mouth will often require the adjacent teeth to be drilled and shaped to accommodate the attachments which are needed to hold the false tooth in place. These attachments may come in the form of ‘wings’ or even crowns.

frequently asked questions

can I have a bridge instead of a denture?

in some cases, you can. however, if lots of teeth are missing or there are no teeth on both sides of the gap, a bridge may not be possible. it’s best to speak to your dentist so that they can discuss what the best option for you is.

can I have a bridge on the NHS?

in some cases, yes. if a denture is not possible or is not the best solution for your gap, then a bridge may be provided on the NHS.

will it look natural in my mouth?

yes -the false tooth or teeth can be designed to look as natural as possible in terms of shape and colour.