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Bridges

At Truly Dental, we know that hearing a tooth is damaged beyond repair - whether by disease, injury or decay, or indeed if you have already lost a tooth or group of teeth - can feel like the end of the world.

 

Patients often worry in this situation that they need to resign themselves to putting up with the embarrassment of a gap in their smile forever, or face either lengthy, surgical implant intervention or admitting to needing a denture. Particularly for younger patients, this can be a difficult experience.

Happily, it is fully possible, time and cost-effective, and unobtrusive to hide a gap from missing teeth with a tried and tested dental technique known as a Dental Bridge. Bridges are a comfortable, secure, and long-term solution to missing teeth – fitting so flawlessly into your smile that no one will even know you’ve lost a tooth!

Whether you have lost a single or a group of teeth, a custom-made Dental Bridge may be designed to span this space and hide any gaps in your smile. Our dentists use materials with the highest performance and aesthetic values so your new bridge will seamlessly blend in with your natural teeth. The teeth which sit on either side of the gap are used to anchor a false tooth in place, via a connected ‘bridge’ of Dental Crowns, robust, colour-matched caps placed on top of teeth to restore shape, size or durability. The teeth adjacent to the gap are prepared for dental crowns by filing down as necessary, and the bridge is then bonded in place via the two connecting crowns capping your natural teeth, with the bridge in the middle hiding the gap in your smile by sitting over your gums in place of the missing tooth or teeth, giving the appearance of your own teeth naturally emerging from the gum line. 

If it is appropriate in your case, your dentist can also craft and place a completely non-invasive Dental Bridge (known as a resin-bonded Bridge). Your dentist will be happy to discuss this method with you and make an assessment during your initial appointment to see if this type of restoration would be suitable for you. This resin-bonded Bridge supports your new replacement tooth on the adjacent teeth without the need for any preparation or adjustment of those teeth. Instead, a metal band that holds the replacement tooth is fixed inconspicuously and securely to the back of the adjacent teeth with a strong dental bonding agent. So you can have a rapid tooth replacement in a matter of weeks without the need to put your remaining teeth at risk. 

Who can get a Dental Bridge?

Who can get a Dental Bridge?

  • If you have lost a single tooth or multiple consecutive teeth, or have been advised that you will need to have a tooth or teeth extracted
  • If you have always had a gap in your smile where an adult tooth never erupted
  • If you would prefer not to undergo implant surgery or your case is not suitable for dental implants
  • If the timeframe offered by implant surgery is too long to be viable for you, and you would like to close your gap quickly
  • If you have worn a partial denture already and find it loose, uncomfortable or otherwise disruptive to your lifestyle

 

Make an appointment with Truly Dental today to discuss your situation with one of our highly trained, experienced dentists and to find the best solution to your dental issue and if a Dental Bridge is right for you in a judgement-free, informative, and patient-led consultation. 

Benefits of Dental Bridges

Benefits of Dental Bridges

  • Eliminate gaps in your smile and speak, laugh, and beam with confidence
  • Closing gaps not only transforms the aesthetics of your smile and enhances your entire appearance, it also greatly improves your ability to eat all manner of food with ease, without needing to adjust to reduced bite function
  • Missing teeth can affect your speech and pronunciation, while your dental bridge can help to rectify these issues
  • Closing gaps in the mouth is important to maintaining the long-term structure of your mouth – left alone, a gap caused by a missing tooth can lead the surrounding teeth to shift or spread out gradually over time, causing issues with your bite
  • Offers a complete fix of your dental issue if correctly cared for – a Dental Bridge removes the additional stresses placed on your remaining teeth, such as compensating during eating, strengthens your overall bite and supports the teeth adjacent to the gap which may also have been damaged by decay, overall prolonging the lifespan of your remaining natural teeth
  • Allows you to avoid the reduced comfort and stability of dentures, and also the need to take your dental work out to clean regularly – as Dental Bridges are bonded to your teeth and are cleaned alongside your natural teeth
  • Swift solution to missing teeth; from your initial bridge preparation appointment with Truly Dental the entire Dental Bridge process is complete in 2 to 3 weeks

What to Expect When Getting a Dental Bridge

What to Expect When Getting a Dental Bridge

Initial consultation 

Your dentist will carry out a comprehensive examination to assess your gums, teeth and bone levels. They will listen to and address your chief concerns, priorities, and questions regarding the treatment of your missing teeth and based on this consultation and exam assess your suitability for a Dental Bridge. 

Following this discussion with you, your dentist will devise and share with you a full treatment plan for your bridgework, which will contain a transparent breakdown of the total costs involved. Our team will be more than happy to discuss this breakdown in detail with you, as well as Truly Dental’s various payment plan options which we have available. 

The procedure

Once you are happy to proceed with the proposed treatment plan, your dentist will schedule you in for your first appointment to prepare the teeth adjacent to your gap for the dental crowns to which your new replacement tooth or teeth will be attached.

Your dentist will ensure the area is completely numbed with local anaesthetic before expertly preparing your teeth for the bridge. At this stage a high-tech 3D impression of your teeth and bite will also be recorded, as this is sent out to our dental laboratory for them to fabricate your new permanent bridge. This completed Dental Bridge is custom-made and handcrafted to fit your mouth and colouration to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth, giving you the most aesthetically pleasing and natural result possible. It will take 2 to 3 weeks for your bridge to be completed at the lab, at which point our team will schedule you to return to the clinic to have your permanent bridge fitted.

To prevent you from having to deal with any unwelcome gaps while you are awaiting your new Dental Bridge, your dentist will place a temporary bridge onto your teeth to protect them during this period and hide the gap until you return to the clinic. 

Fitting your bridge

At your final appointment your dentist will remove your temporary bridge and clean the surrounding teeth.

They will then try your new, permanent bridge in place and assess the fit, contour and appearance. Once you are satisfied with the feel and appearance of your restoration your dentist will cement your bridge in place with a permanent dental cement.

A final check of the appearance in situ and of your bite will be carried out, after which any excess dental cement will be removed and you are free to leave and share your new smile with the world!

Questions? Answers

What is a dental bridge?

A Dental Bridge is a long-standing, proven technique where your dentist can ‘bridge’ any gaps in your smile caused by a missing tooth or several missing teeth. A bridge is composed of an artificial tooth fixed in place to rest above the gumline by connecting to dental crowns which are placed on top of one or two neighbouring teeth to support the bridge.

The crowns of Dental Bridges can be made of many durable dental materials, including porcelain and ceramic. 

Does it hurt to get a dental bridge?

Not at all, your dentist will use a highly effective local anaesthetic to numb the area before your procedure begins to ensure that the treatment is completely pain free. You will feel little more than some gentle vibration and pressure throughout the entire procedure.

If the thought of any dental treatment is a source of anxiety for you, our dentists are also highly trained in dental sedation. Using this method even the most nervous patient can undertake treatment while fully relaxed, calm, and stress-free. 

Are there any age limits to receiving a Dental Bridge?

Dental Bridges aren’t best suited for patients below 18 years of age and would ideally be carried out when the patient is older than 18, as at this stage most of the bone and jaw development is complete. However, there can be exceptions to this rule made for specific cases, which is why your dentist will perform a full examination at your initial consultation, to be able to advise you on the best solution for your missing tooth.

There is absolutely no upper age limit for treatment with a Dental Bridge – at Truly Dental our dentists are fully trained and experienced to support people of any age receiving the dental solutions that are right for them to restore the confidence that comes with a beautiful and full smile.

How long does it take to get a Dental Bridge?

Once you have had your initial examination, two additional appointments with your dentist are usually required in total. After preparation of your supporting teeth to receive the dental crowns, impressions of your teeth and bite will be taken for our off-site dental technicians to custom design your permanent dental bridge. Fabrication can take between 2 to 3 weeks, and once complete you will be scheduled back at the clinic to have your final bridge permanently placed, cleaned and readied for you to leave the clinic with a full, newly restored smile. 

Can I take my Dental Bridge out?

No, unlike a denture which you can take in and out as you please, a Dental Bridge is cemented in place, allowing it to feel and function more like your natural teeth.

Can I whiten my Dental Bridge?

Unfortunately, your Dental Bridge itself will not benefit from whitening treatment. However, if you are interested in achieving a bright, whiter smile also, this can be fully discussed with your treating dentist before fabrication begins on your finalised bridge. It is of course entirely possible to have teeth whitening carried out prior to having your permanent bridge colour-matched and fabricated.

Our dentists also strongly advise maintaining regular visits to your dental hygienist after this treatment, for any staining accumulating over time to be removed from your bridge.

How can I look after my Dental Bridge?

It is essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene to maximise the lifespan of your Dental Bridge. Brushing your teeth twice per day, flossing daily and visiting your dentist and hygienist on a regular 6-monthly basis is recommended. Depending on the placement and size of your bridge, your dentist or hygienist may also recommend a special type of floss for cleaning around your bridge – they will take time to show you exactly how to use it if this is needed in your case. 

Your dentist will also be able to address any questions you have about a recommended diet and how following it will impact your oral health. You should maintain a healthy diet which is low in sugar to reduce the risk of developing dental disease, particularly on the teeth and gums around your bridge. Reducing the amount you smoke or quitting all together will likewise greatly benefit the health of your gums and so prolong the life of your bridge. 

How long will my Dental Bridge last?

Your dentist will make sure you are fully happy with the aftercare guidance they give you after placing your permanent Dental Bridge. If properly maintained and cared for, you can expect your Dental Bridge to last you between 15 and 20 years. By following excellent oral hygiene and heeding these care instructions, some patients will actually manage to have their bridge for life.

Will my Dental Bridge survive impact?

Although a Dental Bridge is a highly robust and sturdy fixture, like your natural teeth it can be damaged by high concentration impact or trauma. If you are someone who plays a contact sport, we highly recommend that you wear a sports guard to prevent the risk of damage to your bridge.

If you are someone who regularly grinds their teeth while they sleep (a condition known as Bruxism), your dentist will recommend that you have a nightguard made to protect your bridge from the continuous wear caused by these forces while you are asleep.

Of course, should any damage or breakage occur to your Dental Bridge please contact the clinic right away so we can schedule you in to have the repair seen to as soon as possible. 

Should I get a Dental Bridge or an Implant?

Dental Implants are the gold standard solution to missing teeth as they are the closest thing one can achieve with modern dental techniques to your own natural tooth.  Implants fully preserve your natural teeth with no disruption, whereas a Dental Bridge does require preparation of the adjacent teeth to your missing tooth or teeth, so they can act as the supports for the new tooth replacement. In rare cases this preparation of those teeth can place the life of the nerve embedded in the tooth at risk over time.

However, Dental Implants are not always suitable for all patients, and your dentist will only proceed with recommending a Dental Bridge treatment plan once you are fully informed and happy with the potential for risk and how to best maintain your teeth following your treatment to offset those risks.

For instance, patients with certain medical conditions which affect post-surgical healing (such as diabetes or various autoimmune diseases) or patients with weak or low density jaw bone which could not successfully support an implant, may be advised with the safer and more effective treatment via Dental Bridges in such cases.

Likewise, some patients will also prefer the idea of a Dental Bridge as you do not need to undergo dental surgery, followed by a 3-month healing period, as you do with implants – from the day of your first appointment at the clinic you could have your finalised bridge ready and placed within 2 to 3 weeks. 

Why should I choose Truly Dental for my Dental Bridge?

At Truly Dental our team of cosmetic dentists are experts in achieving natural, full smiles which are designed to address every individual’s concerns and treatment goals. We employ cutting-edge, high-tech equipment and techniques to ensure that our patients can be confident that they are getting the best treatment available.

We are proud to be the only clinic in Ireland to offer a full 20-year warranty on the majority of Dental Bridges, so you can trust us to provide you with superior, long-lasting treatment that is both cost-effective and delivered to the highest possible standard. At our Dublin city centre clinic, every member of our clinical, hygiene and front of house teams are dedicated to providing exceptional patient experiences and creating a calm and relaxing environment so that your dental treatment is worry-free and meets the highest standard of patient care, every time. 

How much does it cost to get a Dental Bridge?

At Truly Dental our Dental Bridge treatment courses start at €700 per arch. The total cost will vary depending on the number of teeth included and the material and method used.

We are delighted to offer a number of different payment plans and your dentist will always give you a detailed cost breakdown of your full treatment plan, including any additional treatment or procedure you have discussed at your initial consultation with us, so that you can decide how to best fit your treatment into your needs, lifestyle and budget. We offer one plan that allows you to pay monthly, with absolutely no down payment required and at 0% interest! 

Whether you’re in need of urgent help regarding tooth loss or finished putting up with an unwelcome gap in your smile...

Call Truly Dental or book your initial consultation with one of our dedicated and experienced dentists to discuss Dental Bridges today

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