Dental Bridges

A dental restoration fabricated from porcelain that uses adjacent teeth to create a false tooth in the space left behind by a missing tooth. The bridge allows a tooth called a pontic to position itself above the gumline to look and function as the natural tooth did. A bridge is a wonderful and economical way to replace several teeth in a row, including the front teeth.

There are four main types: Traditional, Cantilever, Maryland, and Implant-supported. Traditional bridges have crowns on either side of the gap. A Cantilever bridge needs the support of a crown only on one side. A Maryland doesn’t need crowns as it’s held in place by a structure bonded to the adjacent teeth. An implant-supported bridge relies on implants instead of crowns.

It’s alright, though your teeth may feel slightly sensitive immediately following treatment. You must resume your normal oral hygiene routine post-treatment.

Don’t chew hard foods with your new bridges for at least 24 hours after getting them. Allow the cement to mature for at least a day, so it’s strong.

Ten or even 15 years if you take good care of them, paying proper attention to oral hygiene. Brush and floss daily, limit hard and sticky foods, and regularly visit the dentist. Checkups will ensure that your bridges are free of damage and other problems.

A dental bridge is a custom-crafted tooth replacement solution that Dr. Williams designs to fill gaps in your smile. Think of it as a fixed bridge that spans across the space where your missing tooth once was, using your healthy neighboring teeth as sturdy pillars for support. Your bridge includes porcelain crowns on the anchor teeth and a beautifully crafted replacement tooth that matches your natural smile perfectly. Unlike removable partial dentures, your fixed bridge becomes a permanent part of your mouth, allowing you to eat and speak with complete confidence.

Your dental bridge restoration can serve you well for 10 to 15 years or even longer with dedicated care and regular visits to our Brandon practice. The lifespan of your bridge depends heavily on how well you maintain your oral hygiene, the foods you choose to eat, and whether you keep up with your scheduled cleanings and checkups. We’ve seen many patients enjoy their bridges for decades when they follow our care recommendations and protect their investment with good daily habits.

Your dental bridge represents a long-term commitment to restoring your smile, though it’s not technically permanent like your natural teeth. Once we cement your custom bridge in place, you can’t remove it yourself – it becomes a fixed part of your dental structure. While bridges are built to last many years, they may eventually need replacement as your mouth changes over time or if normal wear occurs. The good news is that most patients get many years of excellent service from their bridge restoration.

Most dental bridge restorations cannot simply be removed and put back once they’re properly cemented in place. If your bridge becomes loose or develops problems, Dr. Williams will need to evaluate whether it can be repaired or if a new bridge is necessary. Sometimes, minor adjustments can extend the life of your existing bridge, but significant issues usually require creating a fresh restoration. This is why we emphasize the importance of regular checkups to catch any potential problems early.

Cleaning around your dental bridge requires a slightly different approach than flossing individual teeth, but it’s definitely manageable once you learn the technique. You’ll use special floss threaders or bridge cleaning floss to reach under the replacement tooth and clean around the crowned anchor teeth. Our team will show you exactly how to thread the floss under your bridge and provide you with the right tools for success. Many patients also find that water irrigators make bridge cleaning easier and more thorough.