Resin-Bonded Bridges

Information about resin-bonded bridges and your treatment with Bristol Dental School.

Resin-bonded bridges are a safe, reversible option for replacing missing teeth. A bridge tooth is attached to a neighbouring natural tooth via a metal wing. The metal wing is hidden by attaching it to the natural tooth. The tooth holding the bridge must be healthy to support the bridge tooth. 

Why do I need a resin-bonded bridge? 

Resin-bonded bridge treatment is usually advised for replacement of single teeth - including reasons such as: 

  • When teeth have been lost due to dental disease 
  • When teeth have been lost from dental trauma 
  • When teeth have not developed normally 

Treatment

Resin-bonded bridge treatment is usually split over 2-3 appointments lasting 1-2 hours. 

Before your resin-bonded bridge treatment: 

  1. Examination - You’ll be assessed to see if you are suitable for resin-bonded bridge treatment. This assessment may involve x-rays to assess if the neighbouring teeth are strong and healthy enough to support the resin-bonded bridge. 
  2. Moulds of your teeth may be taken to plan treatment. These may be used to provide you with a temporary tooth replacement between appointments. 

 During your resin-bonded bridge treatment: 

  1. Moulds of your teeth are taken. These are sent to the dental laboratory to make the resin-bonded bridge. 
  2. When the lab has finished making the resin-bonded bridge, it is cemented onto your neighbouring tooth with a strong cement.  

Benefits of treatment

  • Appearance: Resin-bonded bridges replace missing teeth to successfully improve appearance and function. 
  • Minimally-invasive: Most resin-bonded bridges do not require drilling of your natural teeth which preserves tooth tissue. 
  • Reversible: Resin-bonded bridges are a reversible treatment option. If the bridge falls out, it does not damage the underlying tooth structure. 
  • Fixed in mouth: The resin-bonded bridge is fixed in the mouth and therefore does not require removal. 

Risks of treatment

  • Bite: After treatment, your bite might feel different. This is normal and will adjust over a number of weeks.  
  • De-bond: Whilst the cement we use is strong, some resin-bonded bridges may de-bond (fall out). If this happens, make sure to keep your bridge as it can be reviewed and possibly re-cemented.  
  • 1-tooth gaps: Resin-bonded bridges can often only replace one tooth. If multiple teeth are missing, resin-bonded bridges may not be suitable. 
  • Healthy supporting tooth: The supporting tooth must be healthy enough to support the bridge tooth. 
  • Metal wing: Resin-bonded bridges have metal wings on the back or sometimes biting surface of the tooth. 

Alternatives

We will always discuss the options available to you in depth before any decisions are made. Such options may include: 

  • No treatment (and accepting the gap) 
  • Conventional bridge: These bridges require cutting down the neighbouring tooth for a bridge to fit. These are only suitable in certain cases. 
  • Denture: Dentures are removable. Dentures are good for replacing multiple missing teeth. 
  • Implants: Implants are used to replace the missing roots of teeth. Porcelain teeth are attached on top of the implant ‘root’. These are not provided by undergraduate students at Bristol Dental School. 

What happens after treatment is finished

To check that you and your dental professional are happy with the outcome of your treatment, you will be reviewed after your treatment is finished. When all of your dental treatment is complete, you will be discharged from the dental school. We advise that you find a dentist outside the dental school to continue to look after your teeth and restorations. 

Type of questions you may want to ask

  • How can I clean my resin-bonded bridge? 
  • How long will I have a gap before I can have my resin-bonded bridge fitted? 
  • Will a resin-bonded bridge look different to my natural teeth? 
  • How long does a resin-bonded bridge last? 

Maintaining good oral hygiene at home

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for healthy teeth and gums, and will help reduce the risk of decay and gum disease. Brush your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes. 

Smoking and alcohol increase the risk of oral disease. If you want to quit smoking or reduce your alcohol intake, please talk to the clinician you see for further advice. 

It is important to attend dental check-ups regularly, as this will help your dentist to identify any dental disease early.