Want a smile like George Clooney? Get a tooth bridge!

These days, even the ordinary Joe Soap is made to feel that he has to compete with the stars of stage and screen when it comes to having a smile to be proud of. We’re constantly bombarded with images of perfection -  those Hollywood superstars like Brad Pitt and George Clooney, or perhaps catwalk queens like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.
 

It’s natural, therefore, that we tend to accept their appearance as something to aspire to. And male or female alike, we want to ape their bodily shape, their hairstyle, and very definitely their glistening smile.

The problem arises, however, when we have some major blemish on our smile. It could be crooked teeth, discoloured teeth – and worst of all, a lost tooth (or teeth). You simply can’t get away with the George Clooney look when there’s a gap in your row of pearly whites.

Thankfully, this is very much a solvable problem. There are a number of solutions, in fact, but one of the most common – and most affordable – is the dental bridge, also known as a tooth bridge.

 

What is a dental bridge, and how does it work?

Let’s assume that you’ve lost a tooth or two – possibly as a result of decay, or maybe as a result of an accident. Your dentist will talk you through your options, and if you decide that a bridge is what you're looking for, here’s how he’ll go about it:

• First of all, he needs to create a bridging structure that will let a new artificial tooth stay in place between the two teeth on either side of the gap.

• The bridge is the structure that acts as a form of scaffolding for the new replacement tooth, letting it benefit from the solidity and the support of your existing teeth.

• Unlike a denture, this is a permanent solution that stays in place and doesn’t slip out of position. It’s very much fixed in place and is going nowhere, no matter what you bite or chew on.

Are all dental bridges the same?
No – your dentist has a few different varieties to choose from, depending on the shape of your mouth, where the gap is and a number of other factors. They are as follows:

• Traditional. This is usually a ceramic bridge, although you’ll sometimes see a porcelain version. It’s a very strong and robust solution, and probably the one you’ll see most often in Irish dentistry.
 

• Cantilever. Let’s suppose that there’s a tooth on one side of the gap, but not on the other. Your dentist now has to go for a more complex form of bridge, known as a cantilever.
 

• Maryland. This raises the complexity level yet again, You could very definitely describe a Maryland bridge as a form of dental scaffolding that your new tooth is fixed on to.

 

Let us talk you through your options

If you're considering a tooth bridge (or any other replacement treatment), then why not drop in for a chat – we’ll talk you through your options, recommend a treatment, and give you a firm and final cost for the procedure, along with the option of availing of our 0% Dental Finance Plan.
 

And remember that dental bridges are meant to last you a lifetime, so they represent excellent value for money when you consider the lifetime of use that you’ll get from them.
 

If you'd like to read up a little on this topic, here’s an article you might find interesting from our good friends over at Colgate – http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/bridges-and-crowns/article/what-are-dental-crowns-and-tooth-bridges