Indications for bridges compared with partial dentures and implant-retained prostheses

The number of bridges made in the UK National Health Service (NHS) increased nearly 20-fold in the decade between 1980 and 1990. Since then the numbers have fallen although the average dentist working in the NHS still makes 34 bridges a year. Evidence from Commercial Dental Laboratories shows that there is considerable growth in the number of bridges being made privately, although detailed national figures are not available. It is probable that the overall number of bridges being made is still rising. Large increases are also reported in many other countries.