Dental bridges are one of the most popular and reliable solutions for replacing missing teeth. When a tooth is lost, it doesn’t just affect your smile – it can lead to bone loss, shifting of nearby teeth, and difficulty chewing. It may even impact your confidence when you smile or speak.
Among the different tooth replacement options available today, dental bridges stand out for being both effective and affordable. They restore your smile’s function and appearance without the need for surgery.
In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about dental bridges, including their types, how they work, and how much dental bridges cost in London.
Lost a tooth? Let us help you smile confidently again. Book your consultation at Camden High Street Dental Practice to explore the best tooth replacement options for your smile and budget.
What are dental bridges, and what do they offer?
Dental bridges are a fixed solution for replacing missing teeth. They achieve retention by completely covering the teeth on both sides of the gap with dental crowns. These crowns, called retainers, support and secure the artificial tooth that bridges the edentulous space.
Dental bridges provide the following advantages:
- Functional restoration of the mastication.
- Aesthetic restoration of the missing tooth to complete your smile.
- Does not require surgery, unlike dental implants.
- They can last for up to 15 years.
Types of dental bridges: Materials and designs explained
There are several types of dental bridge designs and materials. The choice among them depends on various factors, including the location of the missing tooth, the number of missing teeth, the condition of the teeth supporting the dental bridge, and, importantly, your preferences regarding the desired outcome and budget.
These are the various designs of dental bridges:
- Conventional dental bridges
Conventional dental bridges are traditional dental prosthetics that feature one or more retainers at both ends. The teeth designated to receive the bridge retainers are reduced in size to create adequate space for seating the retainers. The number of units in a dental bridge primarily depends on the number of missing teeth and the condition of the abutment teeth. If the adjacent teeth cannot adequately support the bridge, an additional tooth is also included in the design to enhance the bridge’s support and strength.
- Maryland bridges
Maryland bridges, also known as resin-bonded bridges, are commonly used as temporary restorations until the final bridge can be fabricated. They do not require preparation of the adjacent teeth; instead, metal wings on both sides of the artificial tooth are bonded to the back surfaces of the neighboring teeth for support. These bridges are often used when the patient is too young, and tooth reduction could risk pulp exposure due to a wide pulp chamber. Therefore, Maryland bridges serve as a temporary solution to restore missing teeth until it is safe to fabricate a conventional dental bridge.
- Cantilever bridge
Cantilever bridges are like conventional bridges but differ in design. The support provided by the retainers is present on only one side, while the other side remains free. This type of bridge is limited to use in areas with low stress, such as the front teeth, and requires a strong abutment tooth to withstand the falling forces.
- Implant-supported bridge
This type of bridge uses dental implants as abutments instead of natural teeth. It is commonly used when more than two teeth are missing. Rather than using long-span dental bridges that require the preparation of multiple teeth, dental implants are placed at both ends of the edentulous area. These implants then support a dental bridge to restore the missing teeth in between. This approach provides a strong and durable treatment solution and helps preserve the natural teeth by avoiding their reduction.
All these different dental bridge designs can be fabricated from metal or gold, ceramic, or porcelain fused to metal. Metal and gold dental bridges are highly durable, affordable, and require less tooth reduction; however, they are not suitable for aesthetic areas.
Ceramic dental bridges provide a highly aesthetic result but are costly. Porcelain-fused-to-metal bridges, which consist of a metal framework covered by a porcelain layer, combine the strength of the metal core with the aesthetics of the porcelain coating. They are more affordable than all-ceramic types and can produce a durable, natural-looking restoration.
Visit the Camden High Street Dental Practice experts to help you choose the most suitable dental bridge design and material to restore your missing tooth efficiently.
Cost of different dental bridges in London
The cost of a dental bridge is significantly more affordable when compared to a dental implant. While removable dentures are less expensive than dental bridges as a tooth replacement option, dental bridges offer a more secure restoration that makes life easier by eliminating food restrictions, making the higher price worthwhile.
The cost of a dental bridge varies based on several factors, including the number of missing teeth, the number of teeth involved, the design of the dental bridge, and the materials used.
This is the average cost of dental bridges in London.
- Traditional fixed bridge: starting at £450 per unit.
- Cantilever bridge: starting at £350 per unit.
- Maryland bridge: starting at £799.
- Implant-supported bridge: starting at £7,995.
Looking for an affordable teeth replacement solution in London? Camden High Street Dental Practice offers budget-friendly dental bridges and flexible payment plans. Contact us today.
Caring for your dental bridges
Dental bridges can last for several years with proper care and maintenance, making them a cost-effective tooth replacement solution. Caring for your dental bridges is like caring for your natural teeth: brush at least twice and floss once daily. An additional step to your oral hygiene routine is cleaning beneath your bridge using small interdental brushes. The area beneath the artificial tooth of the bridge is highly susceptible to food and plaque accumulation; if not cleaned properly, it may lead to gum inflammation and tooth decay around the retainer margins.
Avoid destructive habits, such as biting hard objects, to prevent dental bridge fractures.
These steps, along with regular check-ups and hygiene visits, can help ensure the longevity of your dental bridge.
Restore your missing teeth and confidence in one step at Camden High Street Dental Practice.
A dental bridge not only fills the gap left by a missing tooth but also helps restore your chewing ability and enhances your appearance, positively impacting your oral health and confidence.
Camden High Street Dental Practice is a leading dental centre in London, offering a wide range of tooth replacement options, including various dental bridge designs and materials, along with affordable payment plans. Our goal is to help you maintain your oral health without the burden of high costs.
Book your consultation today and enjoy a healthy, complete smile.
