What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a false tooth, called a pontic, between two supporting teeth on either side of the gap. Because a bridge restores your bite and can be shaped to match your natural teeth, it serves both a restorative and a cosmetic purpose at once.
Who Needs a Dental Bridge?
A bridge may be a good option if you are missing one or more teeth in a row and have healthy teeth, or implants, on either side of the gap to anchor it. Left unaddressed, a gap can let neighboring teeth drift out of position, change your bite, and make chewing and speaking harder, so most patients benefit from replacing the missing tooth sooner rather than later.
A bridge is also worth considering any time a missing tooth is affecting your confidence in your smile, since it fills the gap with a restoration shaped and shaded to match the teeth around it.
Types of Dental Bridges
- Tooth-supported bridge. Crowns placed on the two natural teeth next to the gap anchor the pontic between them, the most common approach.
- Implant-supported bridge. Dental implants replace the anchor teeth instead of your natural teeth, useful when the neighboring teeth cannot support a bridge on their own or several teeth in a row are missing.
If you would rather avoid altering your natural teeth at all, dental implants are another option worth discussing at your consultation.
The Dental Bridge Process
- Consultation and Planning We evaluate the gap and your surrounding teeth to determine the best type of bridge for your case.
- Tooth Preparation The teeth on either side of the gap are gently reshaped so they can support crowns.
- Custom Bridge Fabrication A digital scan of your teeth is sent to a dental lab, where your bridge is hand-crafted, while a temporary bridge protects the area in the meantime.
- Fitting and Permanent Placement Once your bridge is ready, we check the fit and bite, make any adjustments, and cement it permanently into place.
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
A bridge is cared for much like your natural teeth, with daily brushing and flossing. Because the pontic sits above the gumline, we will show you how to clean underneath it with floss threaders or a water flosser to keep the surrounding gum tissue healthy. With good care, a bridge typically lasts 5 to 15 years or longer, and routine checkups let us catch any wear or loosening early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for a dental bridge?
Caring for a bridge is much like caring for your own teeth, with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings.
We will show you how to clean underneath the pontic so the gum tissue below it stays healthy.
Is getting a dental bridge painful?
Most patients feel little to no discomfort during bridge placement, since the area is fully numbed with local anesthesia.
Mild sensitivity in the prepared teeth is normal for a few days afterward.
How long does it take to get used to a bridge?
Most patients adjust within a few weeks. Eating and speaking may feel slightly different at first, but this improves quickly as you get used to the bridge.
If anything feels off after the adjustment period, let us know so we can check the fit.
What is the alternative to a bridge?
The main alternative is a dental implant, which replaces the missing tooth without placing crowns on the neighboring teeth.
Which option is better depends on the health of your surrounding teeth and your goals, something we can go over at your consultation.
Does insurance cover a dental bridge?
Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for a bridge, so we recommend checking your insurance benefits before treatment.
We also offer payment plans if you would rather spread the cost out over time.
