Restorative Dentistry
Dental Bridges
A fixed porcelain restoration that closes the gap left by a missing tooth.
What this is, in plain language
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by anchoring a porcelain replacement to the teeth on either side of the gap. Those neighboring teeth receive crowns, and the replacement tooth is fused between them as one seamless piece. Once cemented, the bridge stays put permanently: no removing it at night, no adhesive, no movement when you chew.
The process feels much like getting a crown, just across three teeth instead of one. At the first visit, Dr. Holt numbs the area, shapes the two anchor teeth, and takes a digital scan. You wear a comfortable temporary bridge for a few weeks while the final one is crafted. At the second visit, we check the fit and bite carefully, then bond it in place.
Closing a gap matters for more than appearance. When a space is left open, neighboring teeth drift and tilt into it, and the opposing tooth can grow downward, gradually changing your bite. A bridge keeps everything where it belongs. Dr. Holt will also talk with you about implants as an alternative, and help you weigh the honest tradeoffs between the two.
This might be right for you if
- I am missing a tooth and want it fixed without surgery
- I want a permanent solution, not something I take out at night
- The teeth beside my gap already have large fillings or crowns
- I have an old bridge that is loose or looks worn
- I want the gap closed before my other teeth start shifting
What to expect
A bridge is made much like a crown, just across three teeth. The process involves:
- An evaluation of the gap and the anchor teeth, with bridge and implant options laid out honestly
- The two anchor teeth shaped under full numbing, then a digital scan
- A tooth-colored temporary bridge to wear for two to three weeks
- A final fitting where the fit, shade, and bite are refined, then the bridge is cemented
How it unfolds, step by step
Exam and planning
Dr. Holt evaluates the gap and the health of the anchor teeth, then walks you through the options, bridge or implant, with the honest advantages of each. You decide with a clear picture.
Shaping the anchors
With the area fully numb, the two teeth beside the gap are shaped to receive crowns. A digital scan captures everything precisely, with no impression trays involved.
Temporary bridge
You leave wearing a tooth-colored temporary that fills the gap and protects the anchor teeth for two to three weeks. Eating and speaking feel close to normal while you wait.
Fitting the final bridge
The porcelain bridge is tried in, and the fit, shade, and bite are refined until it feels like your own teeth. Then it is cemented permanently. Most patients adjust to it within days.
Caring for it afterward
A bridge lasts longest when the teeth anchoring it stay healthy, so daily cleaning underneath matters:
- Clean under the bridge daily with a floss threader or water flosser, as we show you
- Brush and floss around the anchor teeth just as carefully as the rest
- Expect mild temperature sensitivity in the anchor teeth for a few days
- Avoid very sticky or hard foods, especially while wearing the temporary
- Keep your regular checkups so we can watch the anchor teeth and the fit
Questions everyone asks
A well-cared-for bridge typically lasts 10 to 15 years, and often longer. The key is keeping the anchor teeth healthy, which means daily cleaning under the bridge with floss threaders or a water flosser, plus regular checkups. We show you the technique until it feels routine.
It depends on your situation. An implant does not involve the neighboring teeth and can last longer, but it requires minor surgery and several months of healing. A bridge is faster, involves no surgery, and makes sense when the neighboring teeth already need crowns. Dr. Holt lays out both paths honestly and lets you choose.
No. The area is completely numbed for the preparation visit, which feels like a longer version of a filling appointment. Some temperature sensitivity in the anchor teeth for a few days afterward is normal and fades on its own.
Yes. The porcelain is shaded to match your surrounding teeth, and the replacement tooth is shaped to emerge naturally from the gumline. We photograph your smile for the ceramist and check the result in natural light before cementing anything permanently.
Once the permanent bridge is cemented, you can eat essentially anything. It is fixed and does not move, so there is no adjustment to how you chew. With the temporary bridge, we ask you to avoid very sticky and very hard foods for those few weeks.
Often explored together
Wondering if dental bridges is right for you?
Bring us the question. A conversation costs nothing and you will leave with a straight answer either way.