Bridges

A bridge is a fixed restoration, meaning it stays in your mouth and isn't taken out at night. The replacement tooth in the middle is called a pontic, and it's supported by crowns that fit over the healthy teeth bordering the gap. Those supporting teeth are shaped so the crowns seat properly, impressions or scans capture the details of your bite, and the finished bridge is cemented into place as one solid unit.

Because it relies on neighboring teeth for support, a bridge is a good fit when those teeth are sound and well-rooted. It's often the right choice for a single missing tooth, and in some cases for a short span of two. Patients who have already had a crown on a tooth next to a gap sometimes find a bridge especially practical, since that tooth was going to be restored anyway. If the adjacent teeth aren't strong enough — or if you'd prefer not to involve them — we'll talk through dental implants, implant-supported dentures, or partial dentures, all of which we provide here as well.

Planning starts with an exam and X-rays so we can see the roots, the bone, and how your teeth come together. We check the health of the teeth that would support the bridge, look for decay or gum issues that need attention first, and consider the shape of the gap itself. If a tooth still needs to come out, that's something we handle in-house through our oral surgery services, and we'll discuss the right amount of healing time before restoring the area.

Some patients come to us after years of leaving a space alone; others are deciding what to do before an extraction. Both situations are worth a conversation, and we offer a complimentary consultation so you can get answers without committing to anything. Here's what we typically review together:

• The condition of the teeth on either side of the gap and whether they can support a bridge
• How the missing tooth is affecting your bite, chewing, and speech
• Whether a bridge, an implant, or a partial denture better fits your situation
• Shade and shape, so the new tooth blends with the teeth around it
• Your insurance benefits, membership plan coverage, or financing options

Caring for your bridge after it's placed

A bridge is cleaned differently than a natural tooth because the pontic sits above the gum rather than in it. Flossing underneath it with a threader, a floss designed for bridges, or a water flosser keeps the area beneath the replacement tooth free of buildup. Brushing twice a day and paying attention to the gumline around the supporting crowns protects the teeth doing the heavy lifting.

Regular cleanings and exams with our hygienist let us check the margins of the crowns and the health of the gums over time. If you grind your teeth, we may recommend a night guard — also made in our lab — to reduce wear on the restoration. Keeping up with routine visits is the most reliable way to get long service from the work.