A fixed, natural-looking way to fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth, anchored securely to neighboring teeth or implants.
A bridge fills a gap with a false tooth held in place by crowns on the teeth either side, or by implants. It is fixed — you do not take it out — and once it is in you eat and speak with it as you would with your own teeth.
Closing a gap is not only cosmetic. Teeth drift toward a space over time, so a missing tooth left alone gradually tilts its neighbors and changes how your bite meets. That is harder and more expensive to correct later than it is to prevent now.
Where a bridge is anchored to natural teeth, those teeth have to be reshaped to take the crowns. If they are already heavily filled that is no great loss. If they are healthy and untouched, we will usually talk to you about an implant first, because it leaves them alone.
An implant leaves the neighboring teeth untouched and generally lasts longer. A bridge is quicker and costs less up front. We will lay out both for your particular gap rather than pushing one.
With a floss threader or a small interdental brush. We will show you at the fitting appointment — this is the part that determines how long the bridge lasts.
Usually two visits over a few weeks.
If you are looking for the best long-term, healthy option for replacing missing teeth, look no further than implant-supported restorations.
The gold standard for replacing missing teeth. Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth — and implant-supported overdentures offer the best long-term, healthy option for replacing multiple missing teeth.
More about dental implants →Custom-made caps that restore strength and appearance to teeth that are cracked, worn, or weakened after a root canal or large filling.
More about dental crowns →Comfortable full and partial dentures, including implant-supported options that stay secure so you can eat and speak with confidence.
More about dentures →Call 301-829-2220 or request your appointment online today.
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