Bridges - What are they?

Bridges replace missing teeth by using teeth adjacent to the gap as supports.
A bridge is usually made from precious metal and porcelain.

Conventional bridgework

Conventional bridgework involves preparing the supporting teeth for crowns. Impressions are taken of the prepared teeth and the bridge is fabricated in the laboratory. A temporary bridge is fitted and two/three weeks later the definitive bridge can be fitted.

A cantilever bridge involves the preparation of only one tooth on one side and the replacement tooth is attached to this.

Where a gap is too big to be bridged implants can be placed to support a bridge.

What are the benefits of bridgework ?

Bridges are fixed as opposed to dentures which are removable. This can be a very important psychological factor.

A bridge can improve appearance, chewing ability and sometimes speech. If it is well maintained a bridge can last for many years but much depends on the structure of the tooth/teeth under the crown.

Fig.1 Teeth prepared for bridgework
Fig.2 Shape of teeth before impressions
Fig.3 Other tooth parallel preparation
Fig.4 Bridge on model
Fig.5 Bridge in position
Fig.6 Fixed bridge in position