Dental Bridges and Dentures in Dunedin

Are you considering getting a dental bridge in Dunedin, Otago? Are you curious about tooth replacement?

Missing teeth are about more than aesthetics. When teeth are missing, you risk migration—remaining teeth shifting toward smile gaps. Over time, this means wear on the remaining teeth, contributing to loss, fractures, and decay.

A dental bridge is a restorative tooth or teeth, typically cemented between dental crowns. The crowns cap the tooth on either side of the gap to secure the restoring teeth, completing your smile. The bridge and crowns look like natural teeth and are always customised for fit and colour.

Sometimes, your dentist in Dunedin, Otago may suggest an implant-supported bridge if your remaining teeth are not stable enough to support a prosthetic. Typically, this means one dental implant to fix your bridge. A dental implant is a tooth root replacement that can fix a crown, bridge or denture to the jaw.

After bridge placement, your dentist discusses bridge upkeep and maintenance.

Your Dunedin, Otago Dentist Encourages Your Call

Replacing missing teeth is the right decision for your future oral health. To learn more or if you have questions about tooth replacement, including dental bridges, contact Bell Hill Dental in Dunedin, Otago.

The best dentures are the type that fits your tooth replacement needs with the least amount of intervention. This is because the Bell Hill Dental team believes your natural teeth are also your best teeth, so we will strive to take the most conservative approach that still achieves your smile goals. If we decide to recommend a denture to replace your missing teeth, we will discuss the type which is best for you.

Three Types of Dentures in Dunedin, Otago

At our Dunedin dental clinic, we offer full and partial dentures and fixed dental bridges. Dentures, whether complete or partial, are removable dental appliances.

• Full dentures replace every tooth in your upper or lower arch and often rely on suction and adhesives to stay in place.
• Partial dentures are an option if you still have some healthy teeth remaining, and those teeth provide the connectors, so your partial remains secure.
• For patients with fewer missing teeth but all in a row, and more healthy teeth remaining, we may offer a dental bridge that stays in your mouth while being secured to your natural teeth on either side of the gap. This option may also work with dental implants, which we specialise to attach to your dental bridge, providing the highest degree of stability available today.

Tooth Replacement in Dunedin

Our goal is to provide the full spectrum of tooth replacement options, dentures and dental bridges so that you can benefit from a more comprehensive selection and find the ideal fit. Contact Bell Hill Dental for dentures in Dunedin, Otago. 

Cleanliness is the key to the longevity of a dental bridge. With excellent care and frequent check-ups with your dentist, your bridge has the potential to last for many years, seven to fifteen on average. 

Carefully brushing and flossing around your anchor teeth is the best way to keep your appliance clean and bacteria-free. It can be difficult maneuvering dental floss around your anchor crowns, but the benefits outweigh the extra few seconds it takes to keep your bridge clean and healthy. 

Other Helpful Tips for Maintaining Your Bridge in Dunedin

Here are a few additional miscellaneous tips for protecting your bridge and promoting its longevity. 

• Avoid abrasive whitening toothpastes that could scratch the surfaces of your bridge.
• Avoid biting directly into hard foods with your bridge, like crusty bread or an apple.
• Use floss threaders or an interproximal brush to clean underneath your bridge carefully.
• Visit your Dunedin dentist every six months for routine check-ups, where they'll inspect your bridge.

Do You Need More Information About Dental Bridges?

Please get in touch with your Bell Hill Dental Team if you need more information about a dental bridge in Dunedin. We're here to help you achieve and maintain a healthy, happy smile! 

The answer to this question is case-specific, as each person's needs will vary. In some cases, our dentists may be able to repair your appliance, while in other cases, we may need to replace your dental bridge. 

Our dentists will need to examine your bridge and assess the situation to determine the best treatment for your needs. At that time, we'll review your treatment options and the cost with you so there are no surprises.

Why Is It Important to Repair a Bridge?

A dental bridge relies on two crowns on each end to anchor prosthetic teeth in between. If your bridge becomes compromised, it could impact the health of your anchor teeth, so it's important to address any issues right away. 

If your bridge is cracked or fractured, your chewing function may be impaired, impacting your nutrition. Repairing or replacing your dental bridge will ensure that your daily quality of life is not impacted. 

Contact Your Bell Hill Dental Team

Suppose you're struggling with a compromised dental bridge in Dunedin. In that case, we encourage you to contact our team straight away at 03-477 8387 so we can schedule a booking to assess your situation and get you back on the path to wellness as soon as possible.