A dental bridge does exactly what its name suggests: it bridges the gap left by a missing tooth, anchoring a replacement tooth to the natural teeth on either side. It's been a reliable part of restorative dentistry for decades, and for the right situation, it's still one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to fill a gap and restore your bite.
How a Bridge Works
A traditional bridge consists of a false tooth (called a pontic) fused between two crowns, which are placed over the natural teeth on either side of the gap, called abutment teeth. Those abutment teeth are reshaped slightly to support the crowns, and once the bridge is cemented in place, it functions as a single, fixed unit, no removing it at night, no adhesive, no daily upkeep beyond your normal brushing and flossing routine, plus a little extra attention to clean underneath the pontic.
The Three Main Types of Bridges
- Traditional (fixed) bridge, the most common type, anchored with crowns on both sides of the gap. Works well when both neighboring teeth are healthy enough to support crowns.
- Cantilever bridge, anchored to just one adjacent tooth instead of two. Used when there's only a healthy tooth on one side of the gap.
- Maryland bridge (resin-bonded bridge), uses a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of neighboring teeth rather than full crowns, a less invasive option best suited to front teeth that don't bear heavy chewing force.
What to Expect During Treatment
Getting a bridge typically takes two to three visits over a couple of weeks. At the first visit, the abutment teeth are reshaped and an impression or digital scan is taken; you'll wear a temporary bridge while the permanent one is custom-fabricated. At the second visit, the temporary is removed and the permanent bridge is checked for fit and bonded into place. Some practices with in-office milling technology can complete parts of this process faster.
How Long Does a Bridge Actually Last?
With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, most bridges last 10 to 15 years. The biggest factor in how long yours lasts isn't the bridge material itself, it's the health of the abutment teeth supporting it. If one of those teeth develops decay or a fracture under its crown, it can compromise the whole bridge, which is exactly why keeping up with cleanings and checkups matters as much for a bridge as it does for natural teeth.
Bridge or Implant? A Quick Way to Think About It
A bridge is generally the faster, less expensive option upfront, and a reasonable choice when the adjacent teeth already need crowns anyway, or when a patient isn't a candidate for implant surgery. An implant costs more and takes longer due to the healing period, but doesn't require touching healthy neighboring teeth and tends to last considerably longer. Neither is universally "better", the right choice depends on the condition of your adjacent teeth, your timeline, and your budget, which is exactly the kind of thing worth discussing directly with your dentist.