1-800-SMILEGEN
FIND A DENTIST

dental bridges

Dental bridges offer an affordable option when teeth are missing or need to be replaced.

 
OVERVIEW
ROUTINE CLEANING
DENTAL HYGIENE
CANCER SCREENINGS
X-RAYS/IMAGING
DENTURES
TELEDENTISTRY
DENTAL SEALANTS
FLUORIDE TREATMENT
FILLINGS
SEDATION DENTISTRY
DENTAL CROWNS
BRIDGES
 

What is a Dental Bridge

A dental bridge, also known as a tooth bridge, is a false tooth – or teeth, depending on what needs replacing. The false tooth – sometimes referred to as a pontic – is held in place by the abutting (adjacent) teeth on both sides of the replacement gap. Pontics can be made from different materials like gold. However, they are typically made from porcelain due to their ability to naturally blend in with your existing teeth. 


Dental bridges serve as an alternative to partial dentures. They are more practical than partial dentures as they enable you to eat and speak better. Bridges also better aesthetically match the natural appearance of your teeth.

A tooth walking over a wooden bridge
 

What Dental  Bridges Do

 

There are a handful of reasons why someone would need a dental bridge.

 

Improve Speech and Pronunciation

person talking

Protect Remaining Teeth

shield tooth

Restore Your Smile

smile

Sustain Facial Shape

woman facial appearance
 
Elderly woman wearing glasses laughing
 

Dental Bridge Procedure

The process of getting a dental bridge is at least two (2) visits to your dentist’s office. Aside from the initial consultation visit with your dentist, the first bridge installment procedure involves preparing the abutment teeth. The teeth need to be recontoured through an enamel removal process. Next, a portion of the enamel on each abutment tooth needs to be removed to allow crown placement. 


Your dentist will then take teeth impressions. These impressions are used as a model to make the bridge, the pontic, and the crowns in a dental lab. The dentist will also make a temporary bridge. This temporary bridge serves as a substitute to protect your exposed teeth and gums until the actual bridge is completed in the lab. 


The temporary bridge is removed during your second appointment. Then, the actual bridge will be checked for proper fit. An adjustment might be necessary to ensure a correct fit. That could entail additional visits. Each patient’s mouth is unique, so the exact number of visits to professionally install the bridge can vary. 


A dental bridge is not permanent. The standard life span for dental bridges ranges from five to 15 years and possibly longer. Maintaining good oral hygiene combined with regular dental checkups results in fixed bridges lasting ten (10) years.

Construction crane building a bridge
SEE MORE
 
 

Different Types of Dental Bridges

There are a number of different types of dental bridges, and your dentist is the best person to assist with choosing the one that’s right for you.

Traditional Bridge

A traditional dental bridge is the most popular bridge type. To qualify for a conventional bridge, the patient must have natural teeth on both sides of the gap to serve as the anchor teeth. Traditional bridges are made of either ceramics or porcelain fused to metal.

Cantilever Bridge

The cantilever bridge is remarkably similar to a traditional bridge. A dental crown holds the bridge in place. The only difference is that the patient only needs one natural tooth that abuts the replacement gap. A single crown is cemented to that tooth. The bridge is connected to only that crown as opposed to a crown on both sides. These are less commonly used.

Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge, also referred to as a resin-bonded bridge, relies on natural teeth, one on each side of the gap, similarly to a traditional bridge. But unlike a traditional bridge, a Maryland bridge doesn’t use dental crowns to connect to the abutment teeth. Instead, a framework made of metal, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal is bonded to the backs of the abutment teeth.

Implant-Supported Bridge

An implant-supported dental bridge is considered the most robust and most secure type. Installing this bridge type typically requires two surgical procedures. The first one is to embed the dental implants into the jawbone. The bridge is placed during the second procedure.

 
 

Taking Care of Your Dental Bridge

You can take a series of steps to generate the maximum life span from your dental bridge. Follow these tips, along with any advice your dentist offers, to ensure that your dental bridge lasts a solid decade or more.

 

Optimum Oral Hygiene:

Brushing, flossing, and regular teeth cleanings are essential to keep your natural teeth healthy. Show your dental bridge the same care and dedication. That means brushing and flossing your bridge at least twice daily. Do so after each meal, too, if possible. 


Brushing sessions should last for two minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash. Your dentist can show you how to brush and floss around your bridge correctly.

 

Foods to Avoid

You’ll want to be careful with your dietary choices once your permanent bridge has been placed. Certain foods have the potential to create issues with the bridge or the abutment teeth. 


Chewy or sticky candy varieties, like caramel, can cause the dental crowns to detach from the abutment teeth. Foods high in sugar can cause tooth decay under a poorly sealed crown. Hard foods – nuts, candies, popcorn (because of the kernels), and ice chips – can damage the bridge. Also, refrain from using any tobacco products—that benefits your overall health, not just your dental bridge. 


Discuss what you can and cannot eat with your dentist once your bridge is permanently placed. The initial days following bridge installation are critical to avoid those types of foods.

Illustration of a dentist, hygienist, and dental assistant working on a teeth cleaning
SEE MORE
individual with beautiful teeth flossing in front of the mirror
 
 

Book an Appointment Today

 

If you think a dental bridge might be right for you, or you’re just ready to check in on your oral health, having your next dentist appointment on the books is always a good idea.

 

 
MORE LOCATIONS
 
 
 

How Much Does a Dental Bridge Cost?

How much does a bridge cost is a common question for patients as the price will, in some cases, play a role in determining the bridge type a patient opts for. A dental bridge price will vary depending on several factors, including the bridge type:


• Number of missing teeth

• The material used to make the bridge

• Difficulty placing the bridge due to location in the mouth

• Necessary dental treatments before bridge placement

• Cost due to geographic location

Traditional and Cantilever Bridges

Both types range from $2,000 to $5,000. That includes one (1) pontic and a crown for each abutment tooth.

 

Maryland Bridges

The average cost is $1,500 to $2,500. That includes one (1) pontic and the accompanying framework attached to the abutment teeth.

 

Implant-Supported Bridge

The most expensive of the four (4) bridges runs from $5,000 to $15,000. That assumes a bridge with only two dental implants that spans three (3) or four (4) teeth.

Illustration of a hand holding dollar bills on a green background
SEE MORE
 
 

Got questions?

 

We’ve got answers to all of your dental bridge questions. Browse our FAQs here or give us a call at 1-800-SMILEGEN.

 

 
SEE ALL FAQS
 

If you want your dental bridge to last, you need to take proper care of it. Although a dental bridge typically lasts about five to seven years, it can last upwards of 10 years with care.

 

To increase the years before a replacement is needed, you must maintain good oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Regular appointments with your dentist are also important to help detect and deter issues that could lead to a necessary replacement.

Dentures are an option to replace missing teeth, whether it be complete or partial dentures.

 

Full dentures, commonly known as complete dentures, fit over your gums and are used when the patient is missing all of your teeth in the upper and/or lower jaws. Your dentist will likely recommend full dentures because you do not have any natural teeth to support a bridge.

 

Partial dentures are used when you have one or more teeth missing and are also referred to as removable bridges. Partial dentures attach to natural teeth and have a metal framework and clasps.

Implant-supported bridges combine a dental bridge and an implant and are commonly referred to as partial dental implants. The biggest difference between a fixed bridge and a partial dental implant is that dental implants secure the bridge instead of the adjacent healthy teeth.

 

Your dentist may recommend this option if you do not have healthy teeth to support a traditional dental bridge.

Dental bridges fill the gap of a missing tooth between two existing teeth; they bridge your teeth together. If you have two healthy teeth with one or more teeth missing between them, your dentist may recommend a dental bridge.

On the other hand, a dental implant is a surgical replacement of your missing teeth, which requires attaching an implant to the jawbone. This involves removing both the tooth or teeth and roots.

 

Related Posts

EXPLORE OUR BLOG
Full image of an open mouth with two missing lower teeth and empty sockets

Tooth Bridge vs. Dental Implants, Crown, & Dentures
An estimated 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. If you’re one of them, you may wonder about options for filling the gaps i
Jaw that has 3 missing teeth with inflamed tooth pockets

Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
Teeth are crucial for chewing food properly, and they also play an important role in your overall oral health, ability to speak, and physical appearance. If you lose one or more of your permanent teet
Angry tooth wearing a royal crown with sword and warrior shield

Temporary Crown vs. Permanent Crown
While bacteria are always present in the mouth, one of the main functions of oral hygiene is to reduce the number of harmful bacteria that could cause infection or decay, especially to a previously da
 
Sources

Healthline. (n.d.). Dental Bridge: Types, Benefits, and Procedure. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-bridge 

West Coast International Dental Clinic. (n.d.). Dental Bridge. https://westcoastinternational.com/dental-bridge 

WebMD. (n.d.). Dental Bridges: Types, Benefits, and Who Needs Them. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-bridges 

Verywell Health. (n.d.). Dental Bridge: Procedure, Types, and Care. https://www.verywellhealth.com/dental-bridge-4777662