A missing tooth doesn’t just affect how you look. Within months, the neighboring teeth begin to drift into the gap. The tooth above or below it starts to shift. Chewing becomes uneven. Bone starts to shrink where the root used to be.
A dental bridge stops that process. It replaces the missing tooth with a fixed restoration that fills the gap, restores your bite, and prevents the surrounding teeth from moving. Here’s how it works.
Key Takeaways
- A dental bridge fills a gap left by a missing tooth using an artificial tooth held in place by crowns on the teeth on either side.
- Most bridges take two appointments over two to three weeks.
- Porcelain and ceramic bridges are designed to match the color of your surrounding teeth.
- A well-maintained bridge typically lasts 10 to 15 years.
- Unlike an implant, a bridge does not replace the tooth root, so some bone loss continues beneath the gap over time.
- Image Dental places and restores bridges in-house.
How a Dental Bridge Works
A dental bridge fills a gap left by a missing tooth by anchoring an artificial tooth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. The neighboring teeth are fitted with crowns that support the artificial tooth in between. Bridges are cemented in place and function like natural teeth.
The two teeth on either side of the gap are called abutment teeth. They need to be reshaped to accommodate the crowns that will anchor the bridge. The artificial tooth in the middle is called the pontic. The crowns and pontic are made as a single unit and cemented together.
The result is a fixed restoration. It doesn’t come out. You chew with it normally, brush it normally, and in most cases it doesn’t look different from your natural teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges
Several types of bridges exist, each suited to different situations:
| Type | Structure | Best For |
| Traditional | Crowns on both adjacent teeth, pontic in between | Most missing teeth situations with healthy neighbors |
| Cantilever | Crown on one adjacent tooth only | When only one neighboring tooth is available |
| Maryland | Metal or porcelain framework bonded to backs of adjacent teeth | Front teeth with minimal tooth prep needed |
| Implant-supported | Anchored to implants rather than natural teeth | Multiple missing teeth or when adjacent teeth are healthy |
Most patients at Image Dental receive traditional or implant-supported bridges depending on bone density and the condition of the surrounding teeth.
Is a Bridge Better Than an Implant?
Neither is universally better. A bridge is faster and less expensive upfront, but it requires reshaping healthy neighboring teeth and doesn’t prevent bone loss beneath the gap. An implant preserves bone, doesn’t involve the adjacent teeth, and typically lasts longer – but it requires surgery and several months of healing. Both are valid options depending on the patient’s situation.
If the teeth on either side of the gap are already crowned or heavily restored, a bridge makes good sense. If those neighboring teeth are healthy and you want to preserve them, an implant avoids touching them entirely.
Cost, timeline, bone density, and overall health all play a role. Dr. Nozaki can walk you through which option is the better fit for your specific situation.
What the Bridge Procedure Involves
Most bridges require two appointments over two to three weeks.
At the first appointment, the abutment teeth are numbed with a local anesthetic. They’re reshaped to fit the crowns, and impressions or a digital scan is taken. A temporary bridge is placed while the permanent one is made in a dental lab. Some sensitivity in the following days is normal.
At the second appointment, the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent one is checked for fit, color, and bite before being permanently cemented.
Image Dental has CEREC in-house milling, which makes same-day or next-day fabrication possible for eligible cases.
How Long Does a Dental Bridge Last?
A dental bridge typically lasts 10 to 15 years with proper care. Some last longer. The anchor teeth’s health matters most. If decay or gum disease develops in an anchor tooth, the bridge loses its foundation. Regular cleanings and thorough flossing under the bridge are the most important things you can do to extend its life.
Bridges don’t require special care beyond what you already do, with one addition. Standard floss can’t pass under the pontic. A floss threader, interdental brush, or water flosser gets the job done. Skipping that step is where most bridge problems start.
Caring for a Dental Bridge
Keep a bridge in good shape with a few straightforward habits:
- Use a floss threader, interdental brush, or water flosser to clean under the pontic every day
- Brush along the gumline at the crown margins with a soft brush
- Avoid biting hard objects like ice or hard candy directly on the bridge
- Come in for regular checkups so the dentist can monitor the anchor teeth and margins
Small problems with bridges are easy to fix when caught early. To find out whether a bridge is the right fit for your situation, schedule your appointment at Image Dental in Stockton.
