A conventional bridge is a restoration that is cemented to the natural teeth on either side of the empty space. The two natural teeth act as anchors for the bridge which fills the gap, or “span”, left by the missing tooth. Once cemented into position the bridge is, in effect, a number of crowns that are linked together but appear to be separate teeth.
It is possible for a conventional bridge to connect a space greater than the width of a single tooth but the length will ultimately be determined by the strength of the roots of the supporting teeth.
Invented at the university of Maryland (USA), and hence the name. These bridges were designed to fill the spaces left by missing teeth just like conventional bridges. However, it is only necessary to prepare the backs of the supporting teeth. Therefore preserving their healthy original tissue.
Put simply, a Maryland bridge replaces a missing tooth by bonding it to the adjacent teeth using a strong adhesive.
The costs of a bridge are as follows:
You can find a full list of our fees and offers here.
Nobody even knows I’m missing several teeth because of my bridge. Gracefield did an incredible job.
’ My new bridge matches my natural teeth perfectly. I love having a full set of teeth again. I can’t thank my dentist enough.
When my dentist explained all the different ways they could improve my smile and showed me what it could look like with a bridge, I was convinced I was making the right choice!
Because a bridge is fixed in the mouth it behaves more like a natural tooth (or teeth) and allows the patient to eat foods that are more difficult with dentures such as steak, crusty bread, apples, etc. They also take up less space in your mouth, are more comfortable and are less likely to affect your speech or collect decay and disease causing plaque and bacteria.
Bridges also act more like natural teeth and are permanently fixed in your mouth whilst dentures must be removed during the day to clean, and every night to prevent gum disease and further tooth loss.
We will first need to book an appointment so we can prepare your teeth for your new bridge (both Conventional and Maryland). We will take impressions and match your shade to make sure we get a perfect colour match to your natural teeth. We will then ask you to return later for another appointment where your dentist will bond your custom made bridge onto your teeth.
As with all of our procedures, our highly trained dentists use the latest technologies and techniques to make the experience as comfortable as possible and prevent any discomfort.
With a Conventional bridge, some patients experience a small amount of sensitivity for a short period of time, but it normally settles within a few day. Since Maryland bridges are less invasive you shouldn’t feel any discomfort whatsoever.
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