What a Bridge Is

A dental bridge spans a gap left by one or more missing teeth. The artificial tooth in the middle, called a pontic, is held in place by crowns cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Those supporting teeth are called abutment teeth.

The bridge is a single, connected unit cemented permanently into place. It does not come out for cleaning or sleeping. Once placed, it looks and functions like natural teeth, restoring your ability to chew, speak clearly, and maintain the shape of your face and jaw.

When a Bridge Makes Sense

Bridges and implants are both reliable ways to replace missing teeth, and neither is the right answer for every situation. A bridge is often the appropriate choice when the teeth adjacent to the gap already have crowns or significant restorations, since they will need to be capped as abutments anyway. It is also worth discussing when bone density at the missing tooth site is insufficient for implant placement, or when a patient simply prefers not to have a surgical procedure.

The consultation is the right time to talk through your specific teeth, your health history, and your preferences. There is no single right answer, and we are not trying to push one option over another.

The Process

Bridge placement takes two appointments. At the first, the abutment teeth are prepared and shaped, impressions or a digital scan are taken, and a temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth while the final bridge is fabricated at a dental lab.

At the second appointment, the temporary bridge is removed and the final bridge is fitted, adjusted, and cemented in place. We check your bite carefully to make sure the bridge seats correctly and feels comfortable before you leave.