If you want to replace some missing teeth then you might choose a bridge. It is fixed, so cannot be removed and will look and feel like the rest of your teeth.

Reasons

There are many reasons for filling in the gaps:

• Cosmetic reasons – to improve your smile

• Maintaining a good bite and help with eating - a gap can affect the bite as the teeth adjacent to the gap can lean into the space and alter the way the top and bottom teeth bite together. This can result in food collecting in the gap and consequently tooth decay and gum problems.

Designs

There are many different designs of bridges, but all of them are made to match your own teeth:

• Fixed bridge – crowns are constructed on teeth either side of the space and are joined by a false tooth which fits into the gap.

• Adhesive (sticky) bridge – this is when a false tooth is used to fill the gap and is secured by a metal wing which attaches to the underside of one of the teeth adjacent to the gap.

All bridges are laboratory made and it involves two appointments at the practice (see crowns for details).

Your dentist will help you decide the best way of replacing the teeth. A bridge is not always the best solution and there are other options (see partial dentures and implants).

Prices start from… £475 per porcelain tooth (unit)