Dental bridges in Cobham
Dental bridges for replacing missing teeth.
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with a fixed restoration that is supported by the teeth on either side of the gap, or bonded to a neighbouring tooth. Because a bridge relies on other teeth, planning starts with assessing those supporting teeth — their strength, their root support and their gum health. A bridge is one of several ways to replace a missing tooth, and we will compare it fairly with implants and dentures for your situation.
Suitability
Who this may suit
- Supporting teeth with enough sound structure, healthy roots and good bone support to carry the extra load.
- Healthy gums and no untreated gum disease or decay — these are assessed and treated first.
- A gap of a size and position that a bridge can restore predictably; long spans are often better served by an implant or denture.
- A stable bite, with grinding or clenching identified and managed.
What a bridge is, and what it does
A fixed replacement
A bridge is cemented or bonded in place, so it is not taken in and out like a denture. It restores the appearance of the gap and helps you bite and speak more normally.
Supported by your own teeth
Instead of placing anything in the jaw, a bridge uses the teeth adjacent to the gap for support. That makes it a useful option where those teeth are strong, or already crowned or heavily filled.
Usually completed in weeks
Because no healing of the jaw is required, a bridge is normally finished over a small number of appointments rather than the months an implant plan can take.
Risks & considerations
Risks and important considerations
- Irreversible preparation of the supporting teeth for conventional and cantilever designs.
- Sensitivity of prepared supporting teeth, which usually settles but can persist.
- Decay or gum disease developing around the supporting teeth or beneath the bridge if cleaning is not thorough.
- Nerve problems in a supporting tooth, occasionally requiring root canal treatment afterwards.
- Debonding of an adhesive bridge, requiring re-bonding.
- Fracture or chipping of the ceramic, particularly with grinding.
- Loss of a supporting tooth, which can mean remaking the bridge or changing to a different type of replacement.
- Gum recession over time, which may make the join between bridge and tooth more visible.
Frequently asked questions
Neither is better in every case. An implant leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched and helps maintain the bone, but needs surgery and takes longer. A bridge is quicker and needs no surgery, but relies on the adjacent teeth and usually means preparing them. The right answer depends on the health of those teeth, the bone, your medical history and your preferences.
Bridge fees depend on the design and the number of units involved, so we do not publish a single figure. You will receive a written estimate after your assessment, and our published fees for related treatment are on the plan and fees page.
There is no fixed lifespan. It depends on the design, the strength of the supporting teeth, your bite and how well you clean under the bridge. We monitor it at every routine examination.
Usually two or three once the supporting teeth are healthy: one to prepare and scan, sometimes an interim visit, and one to fit. Any groundwork such as fillings or gum treatment is done before that.
Treatment planning and stages
- 1
Assessment of the gap and supporting teeth
We examine the space, the teeth either side, your gums and your bite, and take x-rays to check root and bone support before any option is recommended.
- 2
Comparing your options
We set out bridge, implant, denture and leaving the gap alone, with the advantages, drawbacks, appointments and costs of each, and give you a written estimate.
- 3
Preparing the foundations
Any decay, failing restorations or gum problems on the supporting teeth are treated first so the bridge is built on something sound.
Paying for treatment
Finance options available
Practi
Finance options are available at Cobham Dental through Practi. Your dentist prepares a treatment guide, you choose to pay using finance and complete a short application. Our team will confirm the available terms, any interest payable and the monthly amount before you decide — finance is subject to status and to the provider's terms.
Finance options are available, subject to status. Ask our team for the current terms and a representative example before you commit.
Your options
Treatment choices we may discuss
Conventional (fixed-fixed) bridge
The teeth on both sides of the gap are prepared and crowned, and the replacement tooth is joined between them as one piece. Strong and well established, but it does involve preparing those supporting teeth.
Cantilever bridge
The replacement tooth is supported from one side only. Useful in specific situations, such as a small gap at the end of a run of teeth, where the supporting tooth is strong enough to take the extra load.
Adhesive (resin-bonded) bridge
A replacement tooth with a thin wing that is bonded to the back of an adjacent tooth. It removes little or no tooth structure, which makes it attractive for suitable front-tooth gaps, but it depends on the bond and can debond and need re-bonding.
Implant-supported options
Where the adjacent teeth are healthy and untouched, an implant may be preferable so those teeth are left alone. Implant treatment is assessed separately — see our implants page.
Important limitations
What this treatment cannot do
- A conventional bridge involves preparing healthy or restored teeth, which cannot be reversed once done.
- The whole bridge depends on the supporting teeth. If one develops decay or a problem, the entire bridge may need remaking.
- Adhesive bridges can debond and need re-bonding; this is a recognised feature of the design, not a failure of care.
- Bridges do not prevent bone in the gap from changing shape over time, as an implant can.
- Cleaning under the bridge takes a specific technique with floss threaders or interdental brushes; without it, gum problems and decay are more likely.
- Bridges do not last forever and will need maintenance and eventual replacement.
Alternatives
Other options we may discuss
Dental implants
An implant replaces the missing tooth on its own without preparing the neighbouring teeth, and helps maintain the bone in the gap. It requires surgery, suitable bone and gum health, and usually takes longer overall. Our implant fee is listed centrally on the plan and fees page.
Dentures
A removable denture can replace one or several teeth, needs no preparation of the adjacent teeth and is usually the least expensive option. It is taken out for cleaning, can feel bulkier and may need adjusting or relining over time.
Leaving the gap
Not replacing a tooth is sometimes a reasonable choice, particularly for a back tooth with a stable bite. We will explain what could happen if teeth drift or over-erupt so you can decide.
Orthodontics
Occasionally moving the teeth can close or redistribute a space, either instead of a replacement or to create the right space before one is made.
Technology
What we use at the practice
iTero digital scanning
A digital scanner used instead of conventional impressions for aligner and restorative planning, with an on-screen simulation of the planned result.
Digital x-rays
Digital radiographs taken in the surgery and displayed on screen so your clinician can talk you through the findings.
Frequently asked questions
A conventional bridge does require preparing the supporting teeth. If those teeth are entirely healthy and unrestored, we will normally discuss an adhesive bridge or an implant so they are preserved.
With floss threaders, superfloss or interdental brushes designed to pass beneath the replacement tooth, every day. We show you the technique when the bridge is fitted, and our hygienists reinforce it at your appointments.
Bridges are made to match the shape and shade of your own teeth, and we record shade with photographs. A great deal depends on the gum shape and the space available, which is why we discuss the likely appearance at planning stage.
Contact the practice and keep the bridge safe if it has come away. Do not attempt to glue it back yourself — the supporting teeth need checking for decay before anything is re-fitted.
Sometimes, but the longer the span the greater the load on the supporting teeth. For larger gaps, implants or a denture are often more predictable, and we will say so.
Gum disease needs assessing and stabilising first, because the supporting teeth have to be sound. See our gum disease treatment page; a bridge is planned only once your gum health is under control.
Concerns this may help with
What patients come to us about
Related treatments
You may also want to read
- ImplantsReplacing missing teeth with fixed, natural-looking restorations.
- Dental crownsRestoring and protecting heavily damaged, fractured or root-filled teeth.
- Gum disease treatmentGum-health assessment, non-surgical periodontal treatment and ongoing maintenance.
- ExtractionsCareful removal, including wisdom teeth, with clinicians experienced in oral surgery.
- Dental examinationThorough check-ups including x-rays and screening.
Not ready to book?
Our treatment coordinators can talk you through the options and costs with no obligation, or arrange a callback at a time that suits you.
Thinking about replacing a missing tooth?
Book directly into our diaries online, or ask us a question first — we're happy to help.