- 020 8656 6959
- Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm. Saturdays by request only. Sunday: Closed.
Croydon Dental Practice · Replacing missing teeth
A bridge is a fixed false tooth held in place by the teeth on one or both sides of a gap. It does not come out like a denture and usually takes a few weeks rather than months. Private bridges at our dentist in Croydon start from £550 per unit.
A bridge is made as a single piece. The replacement tooth (called a pontic) is joined to a crown or wing that attaches to one or more neighbouring teeth, known as abutment teeth. Each tooth in the bridge, whether false or supporting, counts as one unit. A bridge replacing one missing tooth and supported by a crown on each side is therefore three units.
Bridges are a good fit when the teeth next to the gap are healthy and strong enough to take extra load, and especially when those teeth already have large fillings or crowns that could benefit from being covered anyway.
The teeth either side of the gap are prepared for crowns, which hold the false tooth between them. Strong and suited to most areas of the mouth.
The false tooth is supported from one side only. Useful where there is a suitable tooth on just one side of the gap.
A thin metal or ceramic wing is bonded to the back of a neighbouring tooth. Far less drilling is needed, but it can come unstuck and is mainly suited to some front teeth.
Where several teeth are missing, implants can support a bridge instead of natural teeth. See dental implants.
Advantages. A bridge is fixed, so there is nothing to take out at night. It usually needs no surgery, the treatment is completed within a few weeks, and it can restore your bite and appearance and stop neighbouring teeth drifting into the gap.
Drawbacks. A conventional bridge involves cutting down the supporting teeth, which cannot be undone. If those teeth were previously untouched, that is a real cost to weigh up. The supporting teeth take extra strain, and if one of them develops decay or a gum problem, the whole bridge may need to be removed. Some supporting teeth later need root canal treatment.
When a bridge may not suit. Bridges are less suitable for long gaps, where the supporting teeth are weak or have poor bone support, or where gum disease is not under control. In those situations your dentist may suggest an implant or a denture instead.
Food and plaque can collect under the false tooth, and the supporting teeth can still decay at the gum line, so daily cleaning is essential. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean under the bridge every day using a floss threader, super floss or small interdental brushes. Our hygienist can show you the easiest technique for your bridge.
Keep up regular check-ups so we can look for early problems around the supporting teeth. Avoid chewing very hard objects, and ask about a night guard if you grind your teeth. With good care, bridges can last many years, although they may eventually need replacing.
Call us on 020 8656 6959 if your bridge feels loose, comes off (bring it with you), causes pain when biting, or if you notice a bad taste or swelling around the supporting teeth. For urgent problems, see our emergency dentist page.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Private bridge | From £550 per unit |
| NHS bridge (Band 3, where clinically needed) | £332.10 |
| New patient examination with X-rays | £65 |
Because each tooth in a bridge counts as a unit, a three-unit bridge replacing one tooth costs three times the unit price; your dentist confirms the total in writing before treatment. The NHS Band 3 charge covers the whole course of treatment. NHS availability varies, so call to check NHS availability.
Spreading the cost: for selected private treatments you can apply for finance through Tabeo, including 0% interest for up to 12 months. Finance is subject to status, and we will explain the options before you commit. See our full price list for other treatments.
Replacing a tooth without relying on the neighbouring teeth.
A removable option, especially for several missing teeth.
Caps that protect individual damaged teeth.
Advice and care when a tooth needs to come out.
Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB. Addiscombe tram stop is a short walk away and East Croydon station is nearby, so it is easy to reach from across the borough. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30; Saturday appointments are by request and we are closed on Sunday.
Private bridges start from £550 per unit, and each false or supporting tooth counts as a unit. For eligible NHS patients a bridge is part of a Band 3 course of treatment, currently £332.10.
Neither is right for everyone. A bridge is quicker and avoids surgery but relies on cutting down neighbouring teeth for most designs. An implant leaves those teeth alone but takes months and costs more. We explain both for your situation.
Usually two or three appointments over two to three weeks: preparation and impressions, then fitting once the laboratory has made the bridge.
Bridges can be provided on the NHS when clinically appropriate, under the Band 3 charge. Call 020 8656 6959 to check NHS availability.
Use a floss threader, super floss or small interdental brushes to clean under the false tooth every day, as well as brushing twice daily. Our team can show you how.
Keep it safe and call us. Adhesive bridges can sometimes be re-bonded; if a supporting tooth has a problem, we will examine it and explain the options.
Book an assessment to compare a bridge with implants and dentures, with a written quote before any treatment. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.
