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Russell Kelly, DDS
At the office of Russell Kelly, DDS, we help patients restore healthy, comfortable smiles after tooth loss. Dental bridges are a reliable, time-tested way to replace one or more missing teeth with a restoration that looks natural and performs like real teeth. This page explains how bridges work, the situations in which they are most appropriate, and what you can expect from treatment so you can make an informed decision about your care.
When a tooth is lost, the visible space is only part of the story. Gaps change the way your teeth meet when you bite and can alter your chewing patterns. Over time these changes can cause extra wear on nearby teeth, jaw discomfort, and difficulty eating certain foods comfortably.
Adjacent teeth also tend to drift into the empty space, which can create crookedness and make daily cleaning harder. That shift increases the risk of cavities and gum problems because food and plaque collect in new, harder-to-reach spots. Addressing a missing tooth promptly helps protect the health and position of the surrounding teeth.
Missing teeth can also affect speech and the way your face is supported. In some cases, the jawbone near the missing tooth starts to resorb, subtly changing facial contours. Replacing teeth restores function and helps maintain the structure that supports a natural, balanced appearance.
There are several valid approaches to tooth replacement, and each has advantages based on your oral health, goals, and lifestyle. Bridges are a fixed option that restore the look and feel of natural teeth without the need to remove the appliance for cleaning. They can be an excellent choice when adjacent teeth provide a solid foundation or when implants are not the preferred route.
Other options include removable partial dentures and dental implants. Removable solutions are less invasive initially but require daily removal and maintenance, while implants mimic natural tooth roots and offer exceptional long-term stability. Bridges can work alongside these choices—for example, a bridge may be supported by natural crowns or by implants, depending on the situation.
Choosing the right path begins with an evaluation that considers the health of your gums and neighboring teeth, bone volume, and your expectations for durability and esthetics. Our goal is to recommend a predictable, long-lasting solution that fits your needs while preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.
A dental bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, called pontics, that are anchored to supporting structures on either side of the gap. Traditional bridges rely on crowns placed over adjacent teeth; the crowns serve as anchors while the pontic fills the opening, restoring chewing ability and the appearance of a full smile.
Bridge materials have advanced considerably and include high-strength ceramics and zirconia that closely mimic the translucency and shade of natural teeth. These materials are both strong and esthetic, so well-made bridges are difficult to distinguish from surrounding teeth when matched properly by color and shape.
Because bridges are fixed in place, they offer a comfortable, stable bite and avoid the movement or slipping some removable options can cause. With careful oral hygiene and routine dental care, well-crafted bridges provide many years of reliable service while helping maintain proper bite relationships and smile contour.
There are several bridge designs, and the right one depends on how many teeth are missing, the condition of nearby teeth, and whether implants are an option. A traditional fixed bridge uses crowns on natural teeth beside the gap to support the pontic or pontics that span the space. This approach is predictable and often appropriate when those abutment teeth are otherwise healthy enough to receive crowns.
An implant-supported bridge is an advanced alternative that uses dental implants instead of natural teeth for support. Implants act like tooth roots, so they prevent the need to alter healthy adjacent teeth and help preserve underlying jawbone. When suitable, an implant-supported bridge can replace multiple teeth with excellent longevity and bone-preserving benefits.
Other designs, such as cantilever bridges or resin-bonded (Maryland) bridges, can be useful in specific situations where only one side of the gap can provide support or when minimal tooth alteration is desired. Each type has trade-offs in terms of preparation, strength, and suitability. A comprehensive exam helps determine which design will provide the best combination of durability and conservative care for your smile.
Successful bridge treatment begins with ensuring the mouth is healthy and stable. That includes treating any active gum disease, addressing decay, and confirming that the teeth chosen to support a bridge have sufficient bone and periodontal health. When infection or inflammation is present, it’s important to manage it first to give the restoration a strong, lasting foundation.
For patients considering an implant-supported bridge, a bone assessment is critical. If the jawbone lacks sufficient volume to support implants, grafting procedures can rebuild the foundation and make implant treatment possible. In contrast, traditional bridge therapy relies on the strength and position of natural abutment teeth, so those teeth must be evaluated for existing restorations or signs of compromise.
Before any work begins, we discuss expectations, review imaging and impressions, and outline the sequence of appointments so you know what to expect. Proper planning and communication reduce surprises and help ensure the final restoration fits comfortably and functions well within your daily life.
Traditional fixed-bridge treatment typically takes place over a few visits. First, the supporting teeth are prepared by removing a modest amount of enamel so crowns can fit securely. Next, impressions or digital scans capture the precise shape of the prepared teeth and the gap; these records guide the laboratory in fabricating a bridge that matches your bite and tooth color.
During the interim, a temporary crown or bridge protects the prepared teeth and maintains appearance and function. Once the final restoration is ready, we evaluate the fit, color, and bite before permanently cementing the bridge. Minor adjustments after placement are not unusual and help fine-tune comfort and chewing relationships.
Aftercare focuses on excellent oral hygiene and regular checkups. Bridges require diligent cleaning around the abutment teeth and pontics to prevent decay and gum problems. With attentive home care and routine professional maintenance, a traditional bridge can remain a dependable part of your smile for many years.
An implant-supported bridge begins with a surgical phase to place the implants into the jawbone. While this is an outpatient procedure, the timeline includes healing and osseointegration—the process by which implants fuse with bone. Depending on the clinical situation, this can take several weeks to a few months. In some cases, temporary restorations provide a pleasing appearance while healing occurs.
To plan implant placement precisely, we use detailed diagnostics, including 3D imaging when needed, to map anatomy and select optimal implant positions. This planning reduces surprises and increases the likelihood of predictable, functional outcomes. Once implants have integrated, the final bridge is attached and adjusted for proper bite and comfort.
Because implants support the restoration independently of neighboring teeth, they conserve adjacent tooth structure and help preserve jawbone volume over the long term. Many patients appreciate the stability and natural feel of implant-supported bridges, which can be an excellent long-term investment in oral health when conditions allow.
In summary, dental bridges offer a dependable way to restore missing teeth, protect surrounding oral health, and renew function and appearance. Whether a traditional or an implant-supported bridge is best for you depends on your oral condition, goals, and the recommendations developed during a careful clinical evaluation. If you have questions about bridge options or would like to learn more about how we approach tooth replacement at our practice, please contact us for more information.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Russell Kelly.
Request AppointmentRussell Kelly, DDS
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by literally bridging the gap between remaining teeth or dental implants. It typically consists of a replacement tooth, called a pontic, held in place by supporting crowns attached to the adjacent teeth or implant posts. Because a bridge is fixed in place rather than removable, it functions much like natural teeth for biting, chewing, and speaking. This restoration also helps maintain the position of surrounding teeth and the shape of the face.
Replacing a missing tooth is important because neighboring teeth can gradually shift or tilt into the empty space, and the opposing tooth may over-erupt without a partner to bite against. This shifting can lead to bite misalignment, difficulty chewing, and an increased risk of decay or gum disease in areas that become harder to clean. Additionally, the underlying jawbone in the area of the missing tooth can begin to lose density over time without the stimulation provided by a tooth root. Addressing a gap promptly with a bridge or other restoration helps preserve oral function and the overall alignment of your smile.
The most common types of dental bridges include traditional bridges, which use crowns on both adjacent teeth to support the pontic, and cantilever bridges, which are anchored by a crown on only one side. Maryland bridges, sometimes called resin-bonded bridges, use a metal or ceramic framework bonded to the back of neighboring teeth rather than full crowns. Implant-supported bridges rely on dental implants rather than natural teeth for support. Your dentist can help determine which type of bridge best suits the location of the gap and the condition of your remaining teeth.
A traditional bridge relies on the natural teeth on either side of the gap being reshaped and crowned to support the replacement tooth, while an implant-supported bridge is anchored by one or more dental implants surgically placed into the jawbone. Because implant-supported bridges do not rely on neighboring natural teeth for support, they can help preserve those teeth from unnecessary alteration. Implant-supported bridges also tend to help maintain jawbone density since the implant provides stimulation similar to a natural tooth root. Your dentist can discuss which approach aligns best with your oral health, bone structure, and treatment goals.
Good candidates for a dental bridge generally have healthy, stable teeth adjacent to the gap, or sufficient jawbone to support an implant if pursuing an implant-supported option, along with healthy gum tissue. Your dentist can evaluate your overall oral health, the condition of the remaining teeth, and any bone loss in the area to determine which type of bridge, if any, is most suitable for your situation. Certain conditions, such as significant gum disease or clenching habits, may need to be addressed before treatment begins. A thorough dental examination and imaging are typically used to confirm candidacy.
Preparing your mouth for bridge treatment generally involves addressing any active decay, gum disease, or infection so that a stable, healthy foundation is in place before the restoration is placed. Your dentist may recommend a professional cleaning, and in some cases, additional treatments such as fillings or periodontal therapy may be needed beforehand. If bone loss is present and an implant-supported bridge is planned, a bone graft might be recommended to build up the area first. Following your dentist's pre-treatment instructions helps support a smoother process and a more predictable long-term outcome.
During traditional bridge treatment, the supporting teeth are first numbed and reshaped to accommodate the crowns that will anchor the bridge, and an impression or digital scan is taken to guide fabrication of the final restoration. A temporary bridge is usually placed to protect the prepared teeth while the permanent bridge is custom-made, often by a dental laboratory. Once ready, the permanent bridge is checked for fit and bite before being cemented securely into place. Most patients complete this process over the course of a couple of appointments.
An implant-supported bridge typically requires a longer overall timeline because it involves surgically placing one or more implants and allowing time, often several months, for the implants to fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Once the implants are stable, an abutment and the custom bridge are attached in a subsequent appointment. While this process takes more time than a traditional bridge, it is often chosen for its long-term durability and bone-preserving benefits. Your dentist can provide a more specific timeline based on your healing progress and treatment plan.
Caring for a dental bridge involves brushing twice daily and cleaning beneath the pontic with floss threaders, interdental brushes, or a water flosser to remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach areas. Routine dental checkups and cleanings are also important for monitoring the health of the supporting teeth or implants and the fit of the bridge over time. Avoiding excessive force on the bridge, such as chewing very hard or sticky foods, can also help prevent damage. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits overall supports the longevity of the restoration.
Potential complications with dental bridges can include decay developing in the supporting teeth beneath the crowns, gum irritation around the pontic, or the bridge becoming loose or damaged over time. With implant-supported bridges, complications may also involve issues at the implant site, such as inflammation of the surrounding tissue. Regular dental visits allow these issues to be identified and addressed early, often through cleaning, adjustment, or repair. Promptly reporting any discomfort, looseness, or changes to your dentist helps support timely management and the long-term success of the bridge.