Close the Gap. Restore Your Smile

Porcelain and zirconia bridges are shade-matched to the color of your surrounding teeth. The shape is sculpted to fill the gap naturally. In the vast majority of cases, people cannot tell which tooth is a restoration by looking at you.

The artificial tooth (pontic) sits just above the gum line, creating a space that needs to be cleaned daily. A floss threader or a water flosser passes under the bridge easily. We walk you through the technique at your fitting appointment and again at your first hygiene visit.

We numb the area before any preparation begins. You will feel pressure but not pain. After the anesthetic wears off, the prepared teeth may be sensitive for a few days. Most patients manage with over-the-counter pain relief and are eating normally within a day or two.

Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of bridge costs when the bridge is placed to restore function after tooth loss. Coverage typically ranges from fifty to eighty percent of the approved fee, after your deductible. We verify your exact benefits in writing before your appointment so there are no surprises.

The teeth on either side of the gap gradually drift into the open space, altering your bite and making them harder to clean. The bone underneath begins to shrink without a tooth root to stimulate it. Over time, chewing becomes uneven, and the risk of decay and further tooth loss increases. Replacing a missing tooth is nearly always worthwhile.

On the day the permanent bridge is fitted, we recommend soft foods while any minor sensitivity settles. After that, you eat normally. A bridge restores the chewing function of the missing tooth, so you can enjoy the foods you want without avoiding that side of your mouth.

A bridge spans the gap using crowns on the teeth on either side as anchors. It does not require any surgery and can be completed in about two visits. An implant is a titanium post placed directly into the jawbone. It replaces the root as well as the crown and does not involve the adjacent teeth. Implants preserve bone better long-term. We discuss the trade-offs at your free consultation.

For a traditional bridge, two visits over one to two weeks. At the first visit we prepare the anchor teeth, take impressions, and fit a temporary bridge. At the second we cement the permanent bridge. You are never without teeth in between.

If the anchor teeth cannot support a bridge safely, we discuss alternatives: most often a dental implant, which does not rely on adjacent teeth at all. We assess the condition of the anchor teeth at your first visit and tell you clearly what the options are.

Maryland bridges are best suited for single-tooth gaps at the front of the mouth where biting forces are lighter. They are not recommended for back teeth that take heavy chewing loads. Your dentist will advise whether a Maryland, traditional, or implant-supported bridge is the right fit for your specific gap.

Traditional and Maryland bridges require lab fabrication, which takes one to two weeks. Implant-supported bridges involve a healing period after implant placement. If you need teeth quickly, we fit a temporary bridge at the first appointment so you are never without a tooth during the process.