At our office, patients who have lost one or more teeth find practical, long-lasting options to restore how they look, speak, and chew. Missing teeth do more than create a visible gap — they alter the way forces travel through your bite, can make cleaning more difficult, and may change the shape of the jaw over time. Our team evaluates each patient’s oral health, lifestyle, and goals to recommend restorations that are both reliable and natural in appearance.
When a tooth is removed or lost, the immediate consequence is an empty space, but the real impact spreads to neighboring structures. Teeth next to the gap can drift or tip toward the open area, which changes the contact points and can cause uneven wear. This shifting can create tight areas that trap food and plaque, increasing the risk of decay and gum problems around those neighboring teeth.
Changes are not limited to the teeth themselves. The opposing tooth in the other arch may begin to over-erupt when it no longer meets an opposing surface, which can interfere with the bite and lead to sensitivity or difficulty chewing. Over time these alterations in bite relationships can affect jaw muscles and joints, sometimes creating discomfort or inefficient chewing patterns.
Bone health is another important consideration. Teeth provide mechanical stimulation to the jawbone during normal function; without that stimulation, localized bone volume can diminish. Progressive bone loss alters facial contours and can complicate future restorative work. Early replacement of missing teeth helps preserve alignment and bone support, making long-term dental care more predictable.
Modern dentistry offers a range of ways to replace missing teeth, from fixed restorations that mimic the feel of natural teeth to removable appliances designed for convenience. The most appropriate solution depends on factors such as how many teeth are missing, their location, the health of adjacent teeth, and the condition of the jawbone. Patient preferences and daily habits are also part of the decision-making process.
Selection of materials and techniques has improved substantially. High-strength ceramics and advanced zirconia can recreate color, translucency, and surface texture in a way that blends with your natural dentition. Digital workflows, including intraoral scanning and computer-aided design, increase precision and help create restorations that fit comfortably and function reliably.
Our approach emphasizes individualized planning. We discuss the pros and cons of each option so patients understand how a restoration will look, feel, and perform over time. This collaborative process ensures the chosen solution aligns with both clinical needs and personal expectations.
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis designed to span an area where one or more teeth are missing. The replacement teeth — called pontics — are joined to supporting elements that anchor the restoration in place. When designed correctly, a bridge restores proper chewing surfaces, prevents adjacent teeth from shifting, and fills the gap for a more natural smile line.
Traditional bridges attach to prepared crowns on the teeth adjacent to the space, distributing biting forces across those supporting abutments. There are variations, such as cantilever bridges that rely on a single support on one side, or resin-bonded bridges that use conservative bonding techniques for specific situations. Each design balances preservation of tooth structure with functional demands and esthetic goals.
Materials play a key role in a bridge’s performance. Porcelain fused to metal provides strength for back teeth, while all-ceramic systems and high-translucency zirconia are often chosen for areas where appearance is paramount. The laboratory process — increasingly supported by digital design and milling — aims to deliver a precise fit, correct bite relationships, and a seamless match with surrounding teeth.
Implant-supported bridges use dental implants as the anchors instead of natural teeth. Because implants transfer chewing forces directly into the jawbone, they help maintain bone stimulation and can prevent the resorption that follows tooth loss. For patients with healthy bone and adequate space, implant-supported options often offer excellent durability and preserve adjacent healthy teeth.
Not every case is immediately suited for implants; placement requires a comprehensive assessment of bone quantity and quality, as well as overall health considerations. When bone is insufficient, preparatory procedures such as bone grafting can be recommended to create a stable foundation. Diagnostic tools like cone-beam 3D imaging help the team plan implant positions precisely to achieve optimal function and esthetics.
Choosing between a tooth-supported bridge and an implant-supported restoration depends on clinical findings, the condition of neighboring teeth, and the patient’s long-term goals. Both approaches can provide predictable results when planned carefully, and your clinician will explain how each option affects surrounding structures and maintenance requirements.
Treatment begins with a thorough exam that includes dental and medical history, oral evaluation, and any necessary imaging. For traditional bridges the next steps typically include preparing the supporting teeth, taking impressions or digital scans, and fitting a temporary restoration while the final bridge is fabricated. The temporary protects prepared teeth and allows patients to adapt to the new contours during the interim phase.
For implant-based solutions, placement is performed in a controlled surgical setting and followed by a healing period that allows the implant to integrate with bone. Once healing is complete, the restorative phase attaches the bridge component. Throughout both pathways, we provide detailed instructions on oral hygiene, eating habits during recovery, and what signs to watch for so healing proceeds smoothly.
Long-term success relies on consistent home care and professional maintenance. Cleaning beneath and around pontics with floss, interdental brushes, or water irrigation helps prevent plaque accumulation. Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings allow the team to monitor the integrity of the bridge and the health of supporting tissues, addressing minor issues before they become more significant.
Dental bridges are a dependable way to restore missing teeth, protect surrounding oral structures, and improve everyday function and appearance. If you’d like to explore whether a bridge is the right solution for you, the team at Wonderful Smiles Dental can assess your needs and outline appropriate options. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an evaluation with our office.
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 Wonderful Smiles Dental, 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 Wonderful Smiles Dental, 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 spanning the gap between healthy teeth or implants. It typically consists of one or more artificial teeth called pontics and supporting crowns or abutments on either side. Bridges restore chewing function, help maintain proper tooth alignment and contribute to a natural appearance.
Bridges are custom-fabricated to match the color, shape, and bite of your natural teeth so they blend seamlessly with your smile. They provide a stable, permanent alternative to removable partial dentures when appropriate. The right type of bridge depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of adjacent teeth and the overall oral health of the patient.
A dental bridge replaces missing teeth by using adjacent natural teeth or implants as supports, while a dental implant replaces the missing tooth root with a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. Implants provide root-level support and help preserve jawbone volume, whereas traditional bridges rely on crowns placed on neighboring teeth for retention. Both options restore function and aesthetics, but they achieve stability in different ways.
Choosing between a bridge and an implant involves assessing bone health, the condition of adjacent teeth and the patient’s overall medical profile. Bridges can be less invasive initially because they do not require surgery, while implants require a healing period for osseointegration. A careful evaluation with diagnostic imaging helps determine which treatment will best meet long-term oral health goals.
Good candidates for a dental bridge are patients who have one or more missing teeth and healthy adjacent teeth that can support a restoration. Candidates should have adequate oral hygiene habits and be free of untreated gum disease, as periodontal health is essential for long-term success. In some cases, patients who are not ideal implant candidates due to medical conditions or insufficient bone may be better suited for a bridge.
A consultation with a dentist will include a comprehensive exam, dental imaging and a review of medical history to confirm candidacy and identify any preparatory treatments. If supporting teeth are weakened or if bone grafting is required, the treatment plan may be adjusted to address those needs first. The decision ultimately balances functional needs, aesthetic goals and clinical considerations.
Common types of dental bridges include traditional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, Maryland (resin-bonded) bridges and implant-supported bridges. Traditional bridges use crowns on both sides of the gap to support pontics, cantilever bridges attach to a crown on only one side, and Maryland bridges rely on a metal or ceramic framework bonded to adjacent teeth. Implant-supported bridges are anchored on dental implants and do not require alteration of natural adjacent teeth.
Materials used for bridges include porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal and advanced ceramics like zirconia, each offering different balances of strength and aesthetics. The choice of type and material depends on the location of the missing tooth, bite forces and cosmetic priorities. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate design after reviewing clinical findings and discussing your expectations.
Preparation for a dental bridge begins with a thorough diagnostic workup that may include X-rays, digital scans and a clinical exam to evaluate supporting teeth and surrounding bone. Any active gum disease or tooth decay must be treated before bridge fabrication to ensure a healthy foundation. If the supporting teeth require restoration or if bone grafting is needed for implants, those procedures are scheduled prior to bridge placement.
Your dentist will review anesthesia and sedation options, explain each step of the treatment sequence and provide pre-procedure instructions to help minimize discomfort. Detailed planning ensures the bridge fits well within your bite and meets aesthetic goals. A clear treatment timeline and follow-up plan will be provided so you know what to expect at each stage.
For a traditional fixed bridge, the procedure typically starts with preparing the abutment teeth by removing a portion of enamel to accommodate crowns, followed by impressions or digital scans to fabricate the restoration. A temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth while the permanent bridge is being made, and the final restoration is tried in and adjusted before cementation. Patients may experience short-term sensitivity or soreness that usually subsides after placement.
For an implant-supported bridge, the process includes surgical placement of implants followed by a healing period to allow osseointegration, after which abutments and the permanent bridge are attached. In some cases, a temporary prosthesis can be provided during healing to maintain appearance and function. The office of Wonderful Smiles Dental provides detailed pre-op and post-op instructions and monitors healing closely to optimize outcomes.
Daily maintenance for a dental bridge includes brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning under the pontic using floss threaders or interdental brushes to remove plaque and debris. Keeping the surrounding gum tissue healthy is essential, so gentle but thorough cleaning and regular professional cleanings are recommended. Avoiding very hard or sticky foods can reduce the risk of damage to the restoration.
Routine dental exams allow your dentist to check the fit and integrity of the bridge, assess the health of supporting teeth and address any issues early. If you notice persistent sensitivity, looseness or changes in bite, contact the dental office promptly for evaluation. Good home care and periodic professional maintenance contribute significantly to the longevity of the restoration.
The longevity of a dental bridge varies but is influenced by factors such as oral hygiene, the health of supporting teeth and gums, the materials used and the amount of wear and bite stress. With consistent home care and regular dental visits, bridges can function successfully for many years, though individual results vary. Areas with heavy bite forces or inadequate oral hygiene tend to experience earlier complications.
Regular monitoring by your dentist helps identify early signs of decay, gum disease or wear so interventions can be made before significant problems develop. Properly maintained bridges may be repaired or replaced as needed to preserve function and appearance. Following recommended care instructions and attending scheduled checkups are the best ways to extend the useful life of a bridge.
As with any dental restoration, bridges carry potential risks such as decay of supporting teeth, gum inflammation, sensitivity and, in some cases, failure of the restoration if supporting structures weaken. Poor oral hygiene, untreated periodontal disease and excessive bite forces increase the likelihood of complications. Rarely, a bridge may need adjustment or replacement to correct fit, comfort or function concerns.
Early detection through regular exams and good home care reduces the chance of serious complications and allows for timely intervention. Your dentist will discuss potential risks specific to your case and explain how to minimize them through preventive measures. When concerns arise, alternative treatment options can be reviewed to determine the best path forward.
At Wonderful Smiles Dental, treatment recommendations begin with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a review of medical and dental history, clinical examination and diagnostic imaging such as 3D scans when indicated. The clinical condition of adjacent teeth, jawbone volume, periodontal status and the patient’s oral health goals are all considered when comparing a bridge to an implant-supported solution. The team explains the expected outcomes, timelines and clinical rationale to help patients make an informed choice.
Shared decision-making guides the final treatment plan, with an emphasis on long-term function, aesthetics and oral health preservation. If additional procedures like bone grafting or restorative work are needed to support the chosen option, those steps are outlined and scheduled as part of the care plan. Follow-up visits and maintenance protocols are established to support successful, lasting results.
