Smile Dental Clinic, Great Yarmouth
Dental bridges
Losing even one tooth can affect your bite, the foods you can eat and how confident you feel. A dental bridge fills the gap with a fixed replacement tooth.
At Smile Dental Clinic in Hopton, Great Yarmouth, bridges are custom-made to blend with your natural teeth and help stop neighbouring teeth drifting into the gap.
Why consider a bridge?
- Fills the gap left by missing teeth
- Helps you chew and speak more naturally
- Spreads the forces of your bite evenly
- Helps stop other teeth moving out of position
- Fixed in place, so it doesn't need to be removed like a denture
What is a dental bridge?
A traditional bridge uses crowns on the teeth either side of the gap to hold an artificial tooth, called a pontic, in place. It's used when one or more teeth in a row are missing.
Types of bridge
We'll recommend the most suitable type for where the gap is, your oral health and your preferences:
- Traditional bridge: supported by crowns on both sides of the gap
- Cantilever bridge: supported from one side only, used when there is a natural tooth on just one side
- Maryland bridge: a replacement tooth with wings bonded to the backs of neighbouring teeth, often used for front teeth
- Implant-supported bridge: anchored on dental implants rather than natural teeth
Step by step
The dental bridge journey
These steps are a guide. Your own plan may differ, and your dentist will explain everything before you decide.
- 1
Consultation
We assess your needs, talk through options and take impressions.
- 2
Preparation
Neighbouring teeth may be prepared to support the bridge.
- 3
Temporary bridge
A temporary bridge may be fitted while your bridge is made in a dental laboratory.
- 4
Fitting
Your bridge is tried in and adjusted for a comfortable, secure fit.
- 5
Cementing
The bridge is cemented into place.
Caring for your bridge
- Clean your bridge every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid abrasive toothpastes such as charcoal
- Clean under and around the bridge to protect the supporting teeth
- Take care with hard, crunchy or sticky foods, especially while you get used to it
- Keep up regular check-ups
Get in touch
Ask us about dental bridges
Send us a quick message and our reception team will get back to you. Prefer to talk? Call 01493 543144.
Related treatments
You may also be interested in
Dental crowns
Custom-made caps that protect and strengthen a damaged, heavily filled or root-treated tooth.
Find out more
Dentures
Custom full or partial dentures to replace missing teeth and help you eat, speak and smile.
Find out more
Tooth extraction
Careful removal of teeth that can't be saved, including wisdom teeth, often on the same day.
Find out more
Ready to book your visit?
Book online at a time that suits you, or call our friendly reception team. New private patients are welcome.
Opening hours
- Monday09:00 – 17:00
- Wednesday09:00 – 18:00
- Thursday09:00 – 18:30
- Tue, Fri, Sat, SunClosed
Smile, Warren Road, Hopton-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth NR31 9BN