Missing teeth do more than just alter your appearance. They make it harder to chew, affect speech and pronunciation, and can damage overall oral health. And if they’re left untreated for long enough, they may cause the remaining teeth to shift, further affecting appearance and function.

Fortunately, in the modern era, there are more options for dealing with missing teeth, and one of the most common and convenient solutions is a dental bridge. Dental bridges make a comfortable replacement for missing teeth, and can be installed by your dentist with minimal fuss. Implants and partial dentures are other options, but they are not going to be discussed here.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge contains artificial teeth – usually one to three, though it is possible for a bridge to contain as many as six – as well as crowns that fit over natural teeth or dental implants on either side. With the existing teeth or implants for support, the artificial teeth are then used to bridge the gap between them. You can even get custom bridges designed to match the shade of your natural teeth, so no one will know the difference.

Dental Bridge Terminology

Though there are several different types of dental bridges, each type has two key components:

• Abutments: Abutments are the structures in the mouth that support the bridge. Usually, these are natural teeth, but they can also be connector posts if the bridge is supported by dental implants.
• Pontics: Pontics are the artificial teeth that fill gaps between natural teeth in a bridge.

Types of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges come in five different varieties. Generally, they’re made from either porcelain or an alloy, or a combination of the two. Your dentist will work with you to determine which type will suit your unique situation.

Traditional Dental Bridges

For a traditional dental bridge, the dentist bonds crowns to natural teeth on either side of the gap to support the artificial teeth. As the name implies, a traditional dental bridge is the most common type of bridge, though it’s only an option when a gap is surrounded by otherwise healthy natural teeth.

Cantilever Dental Bridges

A cantilever dental bridge has a crown on only one end, with the pontics extending across the gap. This type of bridge is used when a patient has natural teeth on only one side of a gap. Though they look just as natural as traditional dental bridges, cantilever dental bridges are not as strong, as they don’t have as much support.

Maryland Dental Bridges

A Maryland dental bridge, also known as a resin-bonded bridge, is secured with metal wings instead of crowns. Your dentist will bond the wings to the backs of neighboring teeth to support the bridge. Maryland dental bridges are most often used to replace missing front teeth; they’re not strong enough to handle the chewing force of back teeth.

Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

An implant-supported dental bridge is built like a traditional dental bridge but, as its name suggests, it attaches to dental implants rather than to natural teeth. These bridges are useful for patients who are missing three or more teeth in a row. They’re more time-consuming to install, though: The dental implants must fully integrate, or fuse, with the jawbone first, and that process may take three to six months.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Bridges?

When you meet with your dentist to consider options for missing tooth replacement, the factors they will take into account include:

• Number of missing teeth
• Size of the gap between teeth
• Condition of the neighboring teeth
• Overall oral health
• Your personal preferences

The dentist will also consider the age of the patient, as dental bridges are not commonly used for people under 18.

How Do Dental Bridges Compare to Dental Implants and Partial Dentures?

Dental implants are another option to fill a missing space in between teeth like dental bridges, but in the case of an implant the dentist doesn’t have to use the adjacent teeth as support. Because dental bridges are glued in, they’re also more comfortable than partial dentures, which must be removed regularly. Most insurance will cover at least part of the cost of installing a dental bridge.

How Are Dental Bridges Installed?

The installation process varies from bridge to bridge, though it’s very similar for traditional and cantilever dental bridges.

With traditional and cantilever dental bridges, after applying local anesthesia, the dentist will reshape the neighboring teeth by removing some tooth enamel so they can support the new bridge. The dentist will then take dental impressions, send them to the lab where the bridge will be created, and install a temporary bridge. Once the bridge is ready – usually within two to four weeks, the dentist will remove the temporary bridge, take the time to check the fit of the permanent one, and finally bond it into place. 

For a Maryland dental bridge, after applying local anesthesia, the dentist prepares the teeth for installation of the metal wings, then takes impressions and sends them to the lab. Once the bridge is ready and the dentist has checked to ensure it fits properly, they’ll apply dental etch to the back surfaces of the abutment teeth so they can be bonded, then use dental resin cement to bond the wings to the teeth. 

With an implant-supported bridge, the first step is to apply anesthesia and then install the implants, which – as noted above – need three to six months to fuse. After that process is complete, the dentist will attach connector posts known as impression copings to the implants, take impressions, send them to the lab, and remove the abutments while the bridge is created. Finally, the dentist places the implant abutments and attach the bridge to the implants, confirm everything fits, and secure the bridge with dental cement or tiny screws.

What Does the Recovery Process Look Like?

Recovery from installation of a dental bridge is quick: Most patients will see their teeth and gums fully healed within a week or two. It may take a little bit longer to get used to the presence of the bridge in the mouth, though.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

Though dental bridges are considered permanent, “permanent” in this context means that they can only be removed by a dentist. The average dental bridge can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, and may survive even longer if properly maintained. No dental bridge lasts forever; once it’s sufficiently worn or damaged, it will need to be replaced.

Taking Care of a Dental Bridge

Dental bridges are maintained a lot like natural teeth: twice-daily brushing and FLOSSING, non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, regular cleanings and check-ups. You’ll also need to clean underneath the bridge daily with floss threaders and avoid chewing on anything particularly hard, such as ice, pens, or fingernails. It’s a good idea to steer clear of very hard or chewy foods, too.

If the dental bridge and area underneath it are not cleaned adequately, plaque and bacteria there may build up and affect the underlying gum tissue. Patients should also keep in mind that the bridge may be weakened by damage to the abutment teeth, and that abutment teeth may fracture if they’re not strong enough to support the bridge. Not flossing under a bridge dramatically decreases the lifespan of your investment.

Reach out to your dentist if the bridge comes loose or develops cracks, or if you have pain when chewing. The good news is that the dentist can remove a bridge with relative ease, especially if it’s already loose, and then cement it back in place.

A Smart Solution for Missing Teeth

Fixing missing teeth will help with your bite, chewing and speech, as well as help to maintain the structure of your mouth and face, and keep your smile looking great. At Springfield Dental Group, we regularly install dental bridges in Springfield, Ohio, and will work closely with you to determine the right solution to your situation.

Missing a tooth? Schedule a consultation with Springfield Dental Group to see if a dental bridge is the right fit for your smile.