At the office of Dentistry on the Square, we take a practical, patient-centered approach to restoring smiles after tooth loss. Missing teeth can affect more than your appearance — they can change how you eat, speak, and care for the rest of your teeth. This page explains the role dental bridges play in rehabilitation, what to expect from different bridge options, and how to decide which path is right for your oral health.
When a tooth is lost, the mouth does not simply stop there — the surrounding structures respond. Adjacent teeth often tilt or drift into the empty space, which can alter your bite, create new pressure points, and increase the risk of decay where teeth become harder to clean. Over time, these changes can create a cascade of problems that affect chewing efficiency and long-term dental stability.
Bone also responds to the absence of a tooth root. Without the normal stimulation of chewing, the jawbone in that area gradually resorbs, reducing support for nearby teeth and subtly changing facial contours. That process is gradual but meaningful, which is why timely replacement is recommended when feasible.
From a functional perspective, missing teeth can make certain foods difficult to manage and may alter speech patterns, especially when teeth near the front are involved. Restoring a tooth — or multiple teeth — helps reestablish the intended distribution of biting forces and preserves the health of the remaining dentition.
Replacing missing teeth begins with a careful assessment of your oral health, lifestyle, and goals. Factors such as the condition of the surrounding teeth, the quality and quantity of jawbone, the number of teeth missing, and your long-term expectations all contribute to the recommended solution. A bridge can be an excellent option when adjacent teeth are healthy enough to provide stable support.
During a consultation we review diagnostic records, discuss the advantages and trade-offs of each approach, and outline a treatment plan tailored to your priorities. At Dentistry on the Square, this planning phase emphasizes durability, aesthetics, and preserving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible while achieving a comfortable result.
While bridges are a fixed, stable option for many patients, alternatives such as removable partial dentures or implant-based restorations may be considered depending on the clinical picture. The goal is to choose a method that meets functional needs and aligns with your expectations for appearance and long-term oral health.
Dental bridges come in several designs, each suited to specific situations. A traditional fixed bridge uses crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap to support one or more artificial teeth (pontics). This design is reliable when those neighboring teeth are strong and healthy enough to serve as anchors.
A cantilever bridge resembles a traditional bridge but is supported on only one side. It can be a useful solution in locations where there is support available on just one adjacent tooth, though it places different mechanical forces on the supporting tooth and is used selectively.
Maryland (resin-bonded) bridges use a lightweight framework bonded to the backs of adjacent teeth, offering a more conservative option when minimal preparation is preferred. They are typically used for single-tooth replacements in low-load areas and when maximum preservation of natural tooth structure is desired.
Implant-supported bridges rely on dental implants rather than natural teeth for support. Because implants function like tooth roots, this approach preserves jawbone and allows for replacement of multiple teeth without involving adjacent healthy teeth. Materials for pontics and crowns range from high-strength ceramics to layered porcelains that mimic natural enamel in color and translucency.
The pathway to a traditional bridge begins with a complete exam and appropriate imaging. If the supporting teeth are candidates for crowns, the dentist prepares them by removing a conservative amount of enamel to create room for the restorations. Precise impressions or digital scans capture the prepared teeth so the laboratory can fabricate a properly fitting bridge.
While the permanent bridge is being made, a temporary restoration protects the prepared teeth, maintains appearance, and allows you to function. Temporary restorations are not as robust as the final prosthesis, so patients are advised to avoid particularly sticky or hard foods until the permanent bridge is placed.
At the try-in appointment the dentist verifies shade, shape, and how the restoration contacts surrounding teeth. Once the fit and bite are confirmed, the bridge is permanently cemented and any final adjustments are made. After placement, routine care includes meticulous brushing, interdental cleaning beneath pontics, and regular professional dental visits to monitor the health of supporting teeth and the restoration’s integrity.
Planning for an implant-supported bridge often involves more diagnostic steps than a traditional bridge, because the focus is on the underlying bone and precise implant placement. Cone-beam CT imaging and thorough clinical evaluation guide the surgical plan, ensuring implants are positioned to support the prosthesis both functionally and aesthetically.
Implant surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis. After implant placement, there is a healing interval during which the implants integrate with the jawbone — a process called osseointegration. Depending on the case, a provisional restoration may be provided to maintain appearance and function while healing completes.
When integration is complete, the final bridge is attached to the implants. Implant-supported restorations distribute chewing forces to the bone, help preserve bone volume, and avoid altering neighboring natural teeth. Maintenance includes the same daily cleaning routines as natural teeth, with special attention to cleaning around the implant abutments and professional monitoring over time.
In summary, dental bridges offer well-established ways to restore missing teeth, protect adjacent dentition, and regain confidence in chewing and smiling. Whether a traditional bridge or an implant-supported solution is right for you depends on the condition of the mouth, bone support, and your long-term goals. If you’d like to learn more about your options and what to expect, please contact us for more information.
Your new bridge is customized to the exact specifications of your smile. Before cementing to the underlying teeth or affixing it to the supporting implants, the shade, occlusion, and all aspects of its fit get carefully checked. In addition to being designed to blend seamlessly with your smile, it's also made to suit your bite and withstand all manner of oral function. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and that your bite feels comfortable.
Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge is a worthwhile investment in the look, health, and function of your smile. While many dental insurances offer coverage for a dental bridge, and some toward the cost of implants, the benefits and amounts can vary significantly from plan to plan. At the office of Dentistry on the Square, we understand the financial considerations involved in care and do all we can to help patients begin treatment without any additional stress or delay. In addition to doing our best to optimize your dental benefits, we also offer several payment and financing options. Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions on the cost of care, dental insurances, financing plans, or acceptable forms of payment.
Now that your new permanent crown or bridge is in place, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene. With proper care, your new restorations will last for years to come. Make sure to brush and floss as instructed. We'll show you how to floss under your dental bridge to keep your new smile clean and bright. Remember to make appointments for your routine checkups and professional cleanings.
The standard answer is that with routine dental visits and good home care, a bridge can last ten to fifteen years, and in many cases, much longer.
At the office of Dentistry on the Square, we fabricate your bridge from the highest quality dental materials to achieve the most cosmetically pleasing and lifelike results of care. It's also customized to the exact specifications of your smile and designed for optimal aesthetics, strength, and stability. Once fabricated and cemented into place, you'll feel confident sharing your smile, speaking, and eating your favorite foods.
As your trusted partner in care, we analyze every aspect of your smile to develop a treatment plan that provides aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and long-lasting results of care.
For more information on dental bridges, or any services we provide, give us a call today.
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants. Bridges restore the appearance and function of the smile by closing gaps that affect chewing, speech, and dental alignment. They are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of existing teeth for a natural appearance.
Typical bridges consist of pontics (replacement teeth) held in place by abutment crowns that fit over nearby natural teeth or by crowns attached to dental implants. Unlike removable partial dentures, fixed bridges do not come out of the mouth and provide a stable, long-term solution when properly designed and maintained. Your dentist will recommend the appropriate type of bridge based on the location of the missing tooth, the condition of surrounding teeth, and overall oral health.
Good candidates for a dental bridge are adults with one or more missing teeth whose adjacent teeth are healthy enough to support a restoration. Candidates should have controlled gum disease and sufficient bone support for the abutment teeth or for implants if an implant-supported bridge is being considered. Dentists also evaluate overall health, oral hygiene habits, and the patient’s ability to maintain the restoration long term.
A comprehensive examination, including dental imaging, helps determine whether a traditional fixed bridge, an implant-supported bridge, or another replacement option is most suitable. If gum disease or decay is present, those conditions must be treated before bridge placement to ensure a predictable outcome. At Dentistry on the Square, our team evaluates each case individually and discusses the clinical advantages and limitations of every option to help patients make an informed decision.
Several types of dental bridges are commonly used, including traditional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, Maryland (resin-bonded) bridges, and implant-supported bridges. Traditional fixed bridges use crowns on adjacent teeth to support one or more pontics, while cantilever bridges attach to a single abutment tooth in select situations. Maryland bridges rely on a metal or ceramic framework bonded to the back of adjacent teeth and are typically reserved for specific cases where minimal alteration of teeth is desired.
Implant-supported bridges are anchored to dental implants rather than natural teeth and are often the preferred choice when adjacent teeth are healthy and there is adequate bone for implant placement. Because they do not require alteration of neighboring teeth, implant-supported bridges can preserve natural tooth structure and provide superior long-term support. Treatment planning for implant-supported bridges usually involves additional diagnostic steps such as 3D imaging and a staged healing process.
Materials commonly used for bridges include porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and high-strength ceramics like zirconia, each offering different balances of strength and esthetics. Porcelain and ceramic options are favored for visible areas because they mimic natural tooth translucency and color, while metal-based options can offer extra durability in high-stress zones. Your dentist will recommend the material that best meets functional needs, esthetic goals, and the long-term plan for your mouth.
Placement of a traditional fixed bridge typically begins with preparing the abutment teeth by removing a portion of enamel so crowns can fit over them. After preparation, impressions or digital scans are taken to create a precise model for the laboratory to fabricate the bridge, and a temporary restoration is placed to protect prepared teeth. The temporary helps maintain occlusion and appearance while the permanent bridge is being made.
At the final visit, the dentist checks the fit, shade, and bite of the permanent bridge before cementing it into place and making any necessary adjustments for comfort. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity or mild gum soreness after preparation, which typically resolves within a few days to weeks. Proper oral hygiene and routine dental checkups are essential to monitor the integrity of the bridge and the health of the supporting teeth.
Implant-supported bridge treatment begins with a thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation to determine implant placement and prosthetic design. Surgery to place the implants is performed on an outpatient basis and may include additional procedures such as bone grafting if the jaw lacks sufficient volume. Following implant placement, a period of healing and osseointegration is necessary to allow the implants to fuse with the bone, which can take several months depending on individual factors.
During healing, the dentist may provide a temporary prosthesis to preserve aesthetics and function while the implants integrate with the bone. Once integration is confirmed, the final bridge is fabricated and secured to the implants, restoring full chewing function and smile appearance. Your clinical care team will provide detailed preoperative and postoperative instructions and follow-up visits to assess healing and the fit of the final restoration.
Daily care for a dental bridge includes thorough brushing with a soft-bristled brush and cleaning beneath the pontic using floss threaders or interdental brushes to remove plaque and food debris. Flossing around abutment teeth and maintaining regular professional cleanings are critical to prevent decay and gum disease that can compromise the restoration. Avoiding very hard or sticky foods immediately after placement helps protect temporary restorations and allows the mouth to adjust to the new prosthesis.
Routine dental examinations let the dentist check the bridge’s margins and the health of supporting teeth and tissues, catching potential problems early. If a bridge feels loose, becomes painful, or shows signs of damage, contact your dentist promptly to address the issue before it worsens. Consistent home care and regular professional maintenance are the best ways to extend the life of a bridge and preserve overall oral health.
Common risks associated with dental bridges include decay of the supporting teeth, gum disease, and sensitivity around prepared teeth. If oral hygiene is not maintained, plaque accumulation can lead to recurrent decay at the margins where the crowns meet natural tooth structure. Over time, changes in the surrounding teeth or jawbone can also affect the fit and function of a bridge.
Other potential complications include fracture or loosening of the bridge components and esthetic changes due to wear or staining of materials. In cases where a traditional bridge replaces multiple teeth, the underlying bone beneath the pontic may resorb since it no longer receives stimulation from a natural tooth root. Regular monitoring and timely repair can mitigate many complications and help maintain long-term function.
With proper care and regular dental maintenance, many bridges function well for a decade or longer, although individual results vary based on materials, location in the mouth, and oral hygiene. High-strength materials like zirconia and well-designed implant-supported restorations often show greater longevity in clinical practice. Factors such as bruxism, smoking, uncontrolled gum disease, and poor oral hygiene can shorten the effective lifespan of any restoration.
When signs of wear, recurrent decay, or poor fit appear, the dentist may recommend repair or replacement to restore function and prevent further damage to adjacent teeth. Periodic evaluations allow the dental team to assess the bridge and surrounding tissues and plan interventions when necessary. Proactive maintenance supports both the longevity of the prosthesis and the overall health of the mouth.
Replacing missing teeth with a bridge helps restore proper chewing function and speech while preventing adjacent teeth from drifting into the empty space and altering the bite. A well-designed bridge reestablishes occlusal contacts and distributes chewing forces to reduce excessive wear on remaining teeth. Restoration of normal function can also positively affect nutrition and overall oral comfort.
However, bridges can change the local oral environment by creating areas that require special hygiene attention; food may collect beneath pontics if not cleaned properly. Changes in occlusion or the health of abutment teeth can necessitate adjustments or reworking of the restoration over time. Regular dental follow-up is important to monitor bite relationships and the health of tissues supporting the bridge.
Choosing between a bridge and a dental implant depends on clinical factors such as the number and location of missing teeth, the condition of adjacent teeth, bone quantity and quality, and the patient’s overall medical status. Implants can replace teeth without altering neighboring teeth and help preserve jawbone by providing root-like stimulation, while traditional bridges rely on nearby teeth for support. Surgical considerations, healing time, and long-term maintenance expectations also play roles in treatment selection.
Some patients are not suitable implant candidates due to insufficient bone, certain medical conditions, or personal preferences, making a bridge the most predictable option in those cases. Conversely, when implants are feasible, they often offer a more conservative approach to adjacent teeth and can be advantageous for long-term oral health. Detailed imaging and a clinical exam help your dentist determine which option best meets functional and esthetic goals.
If you are considering tooth replacement, schedule a consultation for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan that reflects your needs and goals. The office of Dentistry on the Square offers advanced diagnostic imaging and experienced clinicians to review options, explain the clinical steps involved, and answer patient questions so you can make an informed decision. A collaborative discussion with your dentist ensures the chosen solution aligns with your oral health priorities and lifestyle.
Your smile deserves care that feels as good as it looks and we’re here to make that happen.
At Dentistry on the Square, reaching out to us is as easy and comfortable as walking through our doors. Whether you're looking to schedule an appointment, curious about a treatment, or just want to chat about your dental goals, our caring team is always happy to help. Give us a call, send us a message or use our quick online form, whatever’s easiest for you. We’re here to answer your questions, ease your concerns, and welcome you with the kind of personalized attention you won’t find just anywhere. Let’s make your next visit something to smile about. We can’t wait to hear from you!
