If you’re missing one or more teeth, your dentist may have mentioned a dental bridge as a way to close the gap without surgery. As the name suggests, a bridge literally bridges the space left by a missing tooth, restoring your bite and your smile in the process. Here’s what a bridge actually involves, the different types available, and how to know if it’s the right fit for your situation.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth, called a pontic, to the teeth or implants on either side of the gap. Unlike a removable denture, a bridge is cemented in place and isn’t meant to come out for cleaning. Dental bridges restore chewing function, help maintain the shape of your face, and prevent the surrounding teeth from drifting into the empty space left by a missing tooth.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are several types of bridges, and the right one depends on the location of the gap and the condition of your surrounding teeth:
- Traditional bridge: The most common type, using a crown on each neighboring tooth to support the pontic in between.
- Cantilever bridge: Supported by a crown on only one side, typically used when there’s just one adjacent tooth available.
- Maryland bridge: A more conservative option that bonds a pontic to the back of adjacent teeth using a metal or porcelain framework, rather than crowning them.
- Implant-supported bridge: Anchored to dental implants rather than natural teeth, often recommended when several consecutive teeth are missing or when preserving the neighboring teeth is a priority.
Signs a Bridge Might Be Right for You
A bridge is typically recommended when you’re missing one or a small number of teeth in a row and have healthy, stable teeth (or implants) on either side of the gap to serve as support. Common signs it’s worth discussing with your dentist include difficulty chewing on one side of your mouth, a visible gap that affects your smile, or noticing that neighboring teeth have started to shift or tilt into the empty space — a common consequence of leaving a missing tooth untreated for too long.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
Getting a traditional bridge typically takes two visits. During the first, the supporting teeth are reshaped to accommodate crowns, an impression or digital scan is taken, and a temporary bridge is placed while the permanent one is fabricated. At the second visit, the temporary is removed and the custom-made bridge is checked for fit and bite alignment before being permanently cemented. An implant-supported bridge follows a similar process but requires the implants to heal and integrate with the bone first, which can extend the overall timeline.
How Much Does a Dental Bridge Cost?
Cost depends on the type of bridge, the number of teeth being replaced, and the materials used. A traditional or cantilever bridge is generally less expensive upfront than an implant-supported bridge, though implant-supported options tend to last longer and don’t require altering healthy adjacent teeth. The ADA-affiliated resource on bridges notes that keeping the remaining natural teeth and gums healthy is essential to a bridge’s long-term success, regardless of which type you choose, since the bridge relies on that foundation for support.
Caring for a Dental Bridge
A bridge doesn’t decay the way a natural tooth can, but the teeth and gum tissue supporting it still need daily brushing and flossing, including cleaning underneath the pontic with floss threaders or a water flosser. With good home care and regular checkups, a well-made bridge can last 10 to 15 years or longer before it needs to be replaced.
Is a Dental Bridge Right for You?
Bridges work well for patients who have strong, healthy teeth on either side of a gap and want a fixed, non-removable solution without the surgical component of an implant. For patients missing multiple teeth or with weaker adjacent teeth, an implant-supported bridge or another restorative approach might be a better long-term fit. At Jovan Prosthodontics, Dr. Ace Jovanovski evaluates the whole picture, including bone health and bite alignment, as part of comprehensive restorative dentistry, to recommend the option that will hold up best for your specific case.
Key Takeaways
- A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a pontic to neighboring teeth or implants.
- The main types are traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported bridges.
- Most bridges are completed in two visits, though implant-supported bridges take longer due to healing time.
- A well-maintained bridge can last 10 to 15 years or more with consistent daily care.
- Learn more about your options on our dental bridges page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is getting a dental bridge painful?
The surrounding teeth are numbed before being reshaped, so the procedure itself shouldn’t hurt. Some mild sensitivity afterward is normal and typically fades within a few days.
How long does a dental bridge last?
With proper care, most bridges last 10 to 15 years, and some last considerably longer, especially implant-supported bridges.
Can I eat normally with a dental bridge?
Yes, once it’s fully in place, a bridge functions much like natural teeth, and most patients return to their normal diet without restrictions.
What happens to the supporting teeth under a bridge?
The teeth supporting a traditional bridge are reshaped for crowns, which is permanent, so it’s worth discussing alternatives like an implant-supported bridge if you’d prefer not to alter healthy teeth.

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