Dental bridges in Tenbury Wells
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with a fixed, artificial tooth that is attached at one or both ends to a neighbouring tooth, or to implants. Unlike a denture it is not removable, and unlike an implant it does not need surgery. It is priced individually in your treatment plan.
Bridges have evolved considerably over the last decade. Advances in ceramics and dental adhesives mean a bridge can now be metal-free, strong and natural-looking, giving stability to your bite so you can chew with confidence.
The trade-off is that the teeth either side usually need shaping to carry it, which is why we talk through implants and dentures as well before you decide.
Quoted in your treatment planAnchored to the teeth beside the gap
Depending on the type of bridge, one or both ends are attached to an adjacent tooth, and the gap is filled with a new artificial tooth or teeth. The anchoring teeth are usually crowned to carry the bridge, so the whole thing becomes one fixed piece.
Where the teeth either side are sound and you would rather not have them prepared, a bridge can instead be carried by implants, which is often the better long-term answer for a larger gap.
Because a bridge is fixed, it feels more like your own teeth than a removable denture, and there is nothing to take out at night.
A bridge in three stages
Assessment
We check the teeth either side of the gap and the bone beneath it, and talk through bridge, implant and denture honestly. You get a written plan and price.
Preparation
Under local anaesthetic the anchoring teeth are shaped and a digital scan or impression is taken. A temporary bridge protects them while the laboratory makes yours.
Fitting
The bridge is tried in, checked for fit, shade and bite, and cemented in place. We show you how to clean underneath it.
Usually two visits. Your timeline is confirmed in your plan.
Bridge, implant or partial denture?
| Bridge | Single implant | Partial denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What holds it | The teeth either side of the gap | A titanium post in the bone | Clasps on nearby teeth and the gum |
| Teeth either side | Usually shaped to carry the bridge | Untouched | Clasps rest on them |
| Surgery | None | Yes, under local anaesthetic | None |
| Time | Usually two visits over a few weeks | Three to six months | Three or four visits |
| Cleaning | Floss threaded under the bridge | Brush and floss normally | Taken out and cleaned |
| Cost at Tenbury | Quoted in your plan | £2,850 | From £699 |
Worth knowing before you decide
A bridge needs sound teeth to anchor to. If the neighbouring teeth are heavily filled or weak, an implant that stands on its own may serve you better, and we will say so.
The gap under a bridge needs cleaning daily with floss threaders or interdental brushes, and we show you how at the fitting.
If you want whiter teeth as well, whitening comes first, because the bridge is shade-matched and cannot be whitened afterwards.
What is a dental bridge?
A fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth. An artificial tooth is joined to crowns on the teeth either side of the gap, or to implants, and cemented in place. It stays fixed in your mouth rather than being taken out like a denture, and it needs no surgery when the natural teeth carry it.
Bridge or implant: which is better for a missing tooth?
An implant stands on its own and leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched, but it involves surgery and months of healing. A bridge is quicker and needs no surgery, but the teeth either side are usually shaped to carry it. If those teeth are already crowned or filled, a bridge makes good use of them. We will tell you honestly which suits your mouth.
Does a bridge damage the teeth next to the gap?
The anchoring teeth are usually shaped to take a crown, which removes some enamel and is not reversible. That is the main trade-off with a bridge, and it matters more when those teeth are healthy and unfilled. An implant-supported bridge avoids it, which is one reason we discuss both.
How do I clean under a bridge?
The replacement tooth sits just above the gum, so food and plaque collect underneath it. You clean it daily with floss threaders or small interdental brushes, which we show you how to use when the bridge is fitted, and your hygienist checks it at your visits.
Can a bridge be fixed to implants?
Yes. Two implants can carry a bridge of three or four teeth, which is how a larger gap is often restored without an implant for every tooth. It leaves the natural teeth alone and keeps the bone in use. See our dental implants page.
How much does a bridge cost?
Bridges are priced individually in your treatment plan, because the number of teeth, the material and whether implants are involved all vary. You get the figure in writing after your consultation. For treatment over £500 there is an interest-free option over 12 months, subject to status. See finance options.
Missing a tooth? Let us talk through the options
An examination and, where useful, a scan tell us whether a bridge, an implant or a denture would suit you best. You get a written plan and price, with no obligation.
Quoted in your plan. Treatment is subject to an examination. Every mouth is different, so what is right for you is something we work out together at your consultation. Individual results vary. Or get in touch here.
One missing tooth replaced from the root up, £2,850 including the crown and a 3 year guarantee on the fixture. The teeth either side are left untouched.
