Dental bridges
Sandy, Bedfordshire
Missing teeth can impact more than just your appearance – they can make eating and speaking harder and even affect how you feel about your smile. A dental bridge is a simple yet transformative solution that fills the gap, restores balance, and helps you feel like yourself again. At Aura Dental, we craft bridges that are tailored to you, blending seamlessly with your natural teeth so you can smile confidently.
What are dental bridges?
A dental bridge is a custom-made restoration designed to replace one or more missing teeth. It’s made up of a false tooth (or teeth) that is supported by crowns placed on neighbouring teeth or secured with dental implants. Bridges not only restore your smile but also keep your teeth aligned and functioning properly.
When you might need a dental bridge?
You're missing a tooth or several
A bridge fills the gap, so your smile looks and feels complete again.
Your teeth are shifting
Gaps can cause surrounding teeth to move, which may lead to misalignment or bite issues.
Chewing or speaking is difficult
Replacing missing teeth restores functionality, making everyday activities easier.
You want a natural smile
A bridge is carefully designed to match the colour, size, and shape of your natural teeth.
The dental bridge process
First consultation
We’ll start with a friendly chat to understand your concerns and examine your teeth and gums. X-rays or scans may be taken to ensure your supporting teeth or implants are strong enough to hold a bridge.
Preparation
For traditional bridges, we’ll gently reshape the neighbouring teeth to create space for crowns that will anchor your bridge. If you’re opting for an implant-supported bridge, we’ll place implants to act as secure foundations.
Custom-making your bridge
Using impressions or digital scans, we’ll create a bridge that fits perfectly and matches your natural teeth, ensuring it looks and feels just right.
Fitting your bridge
Once your bridge is ready, we’ll carefully secure it in place and make any necessary adjustments for comfort and functionality.
Dental bridges typically last 10–15 years or longer with proper care. Regular check-ups, good oral hygiene, and avoiding habits like teeth grinding can help extend their lifespan.
If the teeth supporting the bridge (abutment teeth) are weak or decayed, or if you have significant bone loss, a bridge may not be the best option. In such cases, an implant-supported bridge or other restorative options might be more suitable.
It’s possible for food particles to collect under the bridge, especially with traditional bridges. Using special floss, an interdental brush, or a water flosser can help keep the area clean and free of debris.
Initially, it might feel slightly different, but once you get used to it, a well-fitted bridge should feel natural and comfortable, blending seamlessly with your bite and smile.
The teeth supporting the bridge can decay if proper hygiene isn’t maintained. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are essential to keep your supporting teeth and gums healthy.