Dental Practice, Kennington
Dental Bridges in Kennington
A bridge fills a gap with a replacement tooth held by the teeth either side. It's fixed in place, it's quicker than an implant, and it's the sensible choice when those neighbouring teeth need crowning anyway. £850 per unit.
- Metal-free bridge £850 per unit
- Fixed — nothing to take in and out
- Usually completed in two to three weeks
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge replaces a missing tooth with a false tooth that is fixed in place, supported by crowns fitted to the natural teeth on either side of the gap.
The name describes it exactly: the replacement tooth spans the gap, anchored at each end. Once it's cemented, it stays there — you clean it in your mouth rather than taking it out.
A bridge is priced per unit, and a unit means each tooth involved. A single gap with a supporting tooth either side is three units — the two supports and the replacement in the middle.
The replacement tooth spans the gap, anchored at each end. That's why a bridge is priced per unit — a single gap is usually three.
Bridge or implant?
This is the real decision. Both give you a fixed tooth; they differ in what they ask of the teeth beside the gap.
| Dental bridge | Dental implant | |
|---|---|---|
| Price here | £850 per unit | from £2,000 |
| Time to complete | Two to three weeks | Several months, including healing |
| Neighbouring teeth | Prepared and crowned to support it | Untouched |
| Protects the jawbone | No | Yes |
| Cleaning | Clean underneath the false tooth with floss threaders or interdental brushes | Clean like a normal tooth |
| Best when | The neighbouring teeth already need crowns, or you want it done quickly | The neighbouring teeth are healthy and untouched |
The honest rule of thumb: if the teeth either side of the gap are healthy and have never been filled, an implant is usually the better long-term answer, because a bridge means cutting down two sound teeth. If those teeth already have large fillings or need crowns anyway, a bridge gets three jobs done at once.
Step by step
What's involved
Assessment
We check the health and strength of the teeth either side — they'll be carrying the extra load, so they need to be up to it — and take X-rays to check the roots and bone.
Preparing the supporting teeth
Under local anaesthetic, the teeth either side are shaped to take crowns. Impressions go to the laboratory and a temporary bridge covers the gap meanwhile.
Fitting
The finished bridge is tried in and checked for fit, bite and colour before being cemented in place.
Learning to clean it
This is the part that decides how long it lasts. You can't floss between a bridge's teeth in the normal way, so we'll show you how to clean underneath the false tooth with a floss threader or interdental brush. Five minutes of teaching now saves the bridge later.
Once it's cemented, it stays there — you clean a bridge in your mouth rather than taking it out.
Fees
How much does a dental bridge cost in Kennington?
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Bridge (metal-free), per unit | £850 |
| Porcelain or metal-free crown | £950 |
| Dental implant | from £2,000 |
| Acrylic denture (per arch) | from £850 |
Priced per unit, so a typical single-gap bridge involving the two teeth either side is three units. You'll be given the full total in writing before anything starts.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental bridge cost in London?
At Pure Elegant Smile a metal-free bridge is £850 per unit. A single missing tooth with a supporting tooth either side is three units, so you'll be given the full total at your assessment before any work begins.
How long does a bridge last?
Many years, provided the supporting teeth stay healthy. What usually ends a bridge is decay in one of the teeth holding it, which is why cleaning underneath it properly matters so much.
Is a bridge better than an implant?
Neither is universally better. A bridge is quicker and costs less, but it involves reshaping the teeth either side. An implant leaves those teeth alone and protects the bone, but takes months and costs more. If the neighbouring teeth are healthy and untouched, an implant is usually the better long-term choice.
How do I clean under a bridge?
With a floss threader or an interdental brush, passing underneath the false tooth daily. Normal flossing can't get between the units because they're joined. We'll show you exactly how at the fitting appointment.
How long does it take to get a bridge?
Usually two to three weeks, across two appointments — one to prepare the teeth and take impressions, one to fit the finished bridge. A temporary bridge covers the gap in between.
Will it look natural?
Yes. The bridge is made from metal-free materials and matched to the shade of your own teeth, so the replacement tooth blends with the ones around it.
Find out which option suits your gap
Come in and we'll look at the teeth either side and tell you honestly whether a bridge, an implant or a denture makes most sense — with the cost of each.
Or call us on 0203 950 6620
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10am–7pm · Closed Wed, Sat, Sun97 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 4HQ
Reviewed by Dr Nader Gavgani, GDC 75484