Dental Bridge in Leith, Edinburgh
A dental bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth with a fixed restoration anchored to the surrounding teeth. It looks natural, feels secure and restores your ability to eat and speak comfortably.
OVERVIEW
Newkirkgate Dental Care at 2 Great Junction Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 5LA provides dental bridge treatment for NHS and private patients in Leith and across Edinburgh. A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with a fixed restoration supported by the adjacent natural teeth or by dental implants. Both porcelain and metal-ceramic bridges are available. NHS bridge treatment is available where there is clinical justification. To book a dental bridge consultation in Leith, call 0131 554 3509 or visit newkirkgatedental.co.uk.
Filling the Gap, Right Here in Leith
A missing tooth changes more than just the appearance of your smile. It affects the way you bite, the way you speak and the way you feel about your teeth. The neighbouring teeth begin to drift. The opposite tooth over-erupts into the space. Over time, what began as one missing tooth can affect the alignment and stability of the teeth around it.
A dental bridge addresses the gap with a fixed solution that restores the appearance and function of the missing tooth without the need for surgery. It sits permanently in place, supported by the teeth on either side, and with good care can provide many years of reliable function.
At Newkirkgate we provide bridge treatment on the NHS where there is clinical justification, as well as private porcelain bridge options for patients who want a higher-specification aesthetic result. We see bridge patients from across Edinburgh including Portobello, Newhaven, Trinity, Inverleith, Bonnington, Pilrig and the city centre.
What Is a Dental Bridge and How Does It Work?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that spans the gap left by one or more missing teeth. The bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth, called pontics, held in place by crowns that are cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap, called abutment teeth.
The abutment teeth are prepared in the same way as for a crown, with a small amount of enamel removed to create space for the crown component. Impressions are taken, the bridge is fabricated in a dental laboratory to fit precisely, and it is then cemented permanently in place.
Unlike a denture, a bridge is not removable. It is cleaned like natural teeth using a toothbrush and floss or a specialised interdental cleaning tool, and it does not need to be taken out at night.
What Types of Dental Bridge Are Available at Newkirkgate?
Traditional Fixed Bridge
The most common type, supported by crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap. Suitable for replacing one or two missing teeth in a row where the adjacent teeth are healthy and strong enough to support the bridge.
Cantilever Bridge
Where there is only one suitable abutment tooth available on one side of the gap, a cantilever bridge is supported from one side only. This is less common and is used in specific clinical situations where a traditional bridge is not possible.
Maryland Bridge
A more conservative option, where the false tooth is held in place by a metal or porcelain wing bonded to the back surface of one or both adjacent teeth, requiring no significant preparation of those teeth. Maryland bridges are typically used for front teeth where the aesthetic demand is high and the biting forces are lower.
Implant-Supported Bridge
Where several adjacent teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge uses dental implants as anchors rather than the natural adjacent teeth. This avoids the need to prepare healthy teeth and provides a more stable, long-lasting result. Implant-supported bridges are available at Newkirkgate and are discussed in more detail on the dental implants page.
What Happens During Bridge Treatment
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1Step 1 — Assessment and PlanningYour dentist carries out a full assessment including X-rays to evaluate the health of the abutment teeth and the surrounding bone. They discuss the type of bridge most appropriate for your situation and explain the NHS and private options available.
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2Step 2 — Tooth PreparationThe abutment teeth are shaped under local anaesthetic to accommodate the crown components of the bridge. A temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain the appearance of the smile while the permanent bridge is being fabricated.
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3Step 3 — Impressions and Laboratory FabricationPrecise impressions of the prepared teeth are taken and sent to the dental laboratory, where the bridge is custom-made to fit your teeth precisely and match the colour of the surrounding teeth.
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4Step 4 — FittingAt the fitting appointment, the temporary bridge is removed, the permanent bridge is checked for fit, appearance and bite, and then cemented permanently in place. Your dentist checks the bite carefully and makes any adjustments needed before you leave.
Keeping Your Bridge Clean and Long-Lasting
A dental bridge requires careful cleaning, particularly in the area beneath the pontic where the false tooth meets the gum. Plaque and bacteria accumulate in this area and, if left, can cause decay in the abutment teeth and gum disease beneath the bridge.
Cleaning a bridge requires more than a standard toothbrush. Interdental brushes or a floss threader are used to clean beneath the bridge and between the pontic and the gum. Your hygienist will show you the correct technique at your hygiene appointment and advise on the right cleaning tools for the bridge you have.
With good cleaning habits and regular check-ups, a well-made dental bridge typically lasts between ten and fifteen years before it may need assessment or replacement.
Bridge or Implant, Which Is Right for You?
Both options replace a missing tooth effectively, but they suit different situations. A bridge is a well-established, predictable treatment that does not require surgery and is completed relatively quickly. For patients who are not suitable for implants, or who prefer not to have a surgical procedure, a bridge is an excellent solution.
A dental implant replaces the root of the tooth as well as the crown, preserving the jawbone and placing no preparation requirement on the adjacent teeth. An implant is a longer process but often the better long-term investment, particularly for younger patients.
Your dentist will discuss both options honestly at your consultation. The right choice depends on the location of the gap, the condition of the adjacent teeth, your bone health, your budget and your preferences. There is no single correct answer, and your dentist will help you make the decision that is right for your specific situation.
NHS and Private Bridge Options
Dental bridges are available on the NHS where there is a clinical justification for replacing the missing tooth. Under the Scottish NHS charge system, you pay 80% of the treatment cost up to a maximum of £384 per course of treatment. Patients under 26 or those who qualify for free NHS dental care receive treatment free of charge.
If you would prefer a full porcelain bridge or a higher-specification aesthetic result, this is available as a private treatment. Your dentist will explain both options and their costs clearly before anything is agreed.
No sure where to begin? Just give us a ring.
Flexible Payment Options for Dental Implants
Private bridge treatment is available with patient finance through Tabeo, allowing you to spread the cost into manageable monthly payments. Interest-free and low-cost options are available, and there is no early repayment penalty.
- Interest-free and low-cost finance options available
- Fixed monthly payments by direct debit that never change
- Simple, straightforward application process
- No early repayment penalty
- Finance can cover your full treatment plan including any preparatory work
Speak to our team at your consultation and we will walk you through all available options. There is no obligation and no pressure to apply.
REGISTRATION
Register With Newkirkgate Dental Care
Whether you’re new to Leith, new to Edinburgh, or just long overdue a visit, we’d love to have you. We’re accepting new NHS and private patients right now, and getting registered takes just a few minutes. Once you’re with us, we’ll take care of everything else.
- Free NHS check-up every 12 months, no bill at the end
- Same-day emergency slots held back for registered patients every day
- Open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings
- Every member of our team is trained to work with nervous patients
- NHS and private care, the same warm welcome either way
We’re inside Newkirkgate Shopping Centre on Great Junction Street, right next to Boots. Walk in, give us a call, or register online, whichever feels easiest.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges
Dental bridge fees at Newkirkgate Dental Care in Leith depend on the type of bridge, the number of units and whether NHS or private treatment is most appropriate. NHS bridge treatment is available where clinically justified, with patients paying 80% of the treatment cost up to a maximum of £384 per course. Private bridge fees are to be confirmed. Contact the practice on 0131 554 3509 for current pricing. Finance through Tabeo is available for private bridge treatment.
A well-made dental bridge maintained with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups typically lasts between ten and fifteen years. The lifespan depends on the quality of the bridge, the health of the abutment teeth, and how well the bridge is cleaned. Regular hygiene appointments are particularly important as the area beneath the bridge requires specialist cleaning techniques to prevent decay and gum disease.
The tooth preparation is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Some tenderness around the prepared teeth and gum for a few days after preparation is normal. The temporary bridge may feel slightly different from natural teeth. Once the permanent bridge is cemented, most patients find it feels comfortable and natural within a few days.
For many patients, yes. A bridge is fixed, meaning it does not need to be removed for cleaning or sleeping, does not move during eating or speaking, and provides a more natural feel and appearance than a removable partial denture. A bridge is not suitable for all situations, however, and a denture may be the better choice where the adjacent teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge, or where multiple consecutive teeth are missing. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate option for your situation.
Yes. An implant-supported bridge uses dental implants as anchors rather than the adjacent natural teeth. This avoids the need to prepare healthy teeth and provides a more stable, long-lasting result. It is particularly suitable where several adjacent teeth are missing. Fotis Bousis, our Masters-trained implant dentist, provides implant-supported bridge treatment at Newkirkgate. A consultation will confirm whether this is the right option for your situation.