Bridges

One or more missing teeth can affect the appearance and the function of your teeth. Missing teeth can cause a change in the way the remaining teeth bite (occlusion).Opposing or adjacent teeth may drift into the space produced by a missing tooth and this may increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Changes in the the way the teeth bite or occlusion may cause pain or strain on the jaw joints (known as temporomandibular joint disorder).

A bridge can be used to replace missing teeth.

There are two categories of bridges, adhesive bridges and non-adhesive bridges.

Typically, non-adhesive bridges require the shaping or cutting down of the teeth adjacent to the gap left by a missing tooth. The bridge is cemented onto the shaped teeth and has attached the artificial tooth (called a pontic).

An adhesive bridge requires much less preparation of adjacent teeth and is often used to replace missing front teeth. It is stuck on to the adjacent teeth with a resin cement.