Dental Bridge: What You Need to Know

Pros

• A dental bridge can restore your ability to speak and chew properly.
• It can improve your smile and help preserve the shape of your face.
• Restoring missing teeth can keep your remaining teeth from drifting out of position and more evenly distribute the force of your bite.

Cons

• You may experience discomfort or pain during and after the procedure.
• It can get expensive, especially if you have multiple gaps to close.
• Dental bridges aren’t as long-lasting a solution for tooth replacement as dental implants, which are considered permanent. While implants cost more up front, they can last for 25 years or more. This means implants could end up costing about the same as a bridge that may need to be replaced at some point.

• Average Cost:
• $4,775

• Range:
• $1,500 - $16,000

The type of bridge you get will be the biggest factor in determining cost. However, there are many other factors contributing to the final price of a dental bridge, including the experience level of your dentist, their practice location, the number of teeth you need, and the placement of the bridge. 

Dental bridges are covered by many dental insurance plans. Check with your insurance company before booking the procedure.

See our complete guide to dental bridge costs

A dentist or prosthodontist (who specializes in the replacement of missing teeth) may recommend one of these types of bridges, depending on the location of your missing teeth and whether the adjacent teeth are structurally sound. 

Traditional dental bridges have a metal framework, fused with porcelain or ceramic that can look very much like natural teeth. Dental crowns placed on abutment teeth on both sides of the gap are attached to artificial teeth called pontics.

Implant-supported bridges are considered the strongest and most stable type of dental bridge, since they’re held in place by dental implants that are fused to the jawbone. Implant-supported bridges are also the most intensive (and expensive) type of dental bridge procedure. Typically, they require one surgery to embed the implants in the jawbone and another, up to six months later (once the implants have healed), to place the bridge. 

Maryland bridges, also called resin-bonded bridges, are a more conservative alternative to traditional bridges. They’re made of porcelain and supported by a metal or porcelain framework, which is bonded to the backs of the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth—not to crowns. Porcelain Maryland bridges can look very natural as replacements for front teeth, but they're not strong enough to replace molars.

Cantilever bridges are less common because they’re used exclusively in cases where there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing teeth. With a cantilever bridge, the pontic is held in place by cementing a dental crown to only one abutment tooth. Cantilever bridges are not recommended for the back of the mouth, because of the amount of force they can put on other teeth.

RealSelf Tip: Whitening treatments won't affect the color of the false teeth in your bridge. Getting teeth whitening before your bridge is created will help ensure the best long-term color match.

Getting a bridge usually takes two dental visits, with each appointment taking about an hour. 

During your first visit, your dentist will start by injecting a local anesthetic and applying topical anesthetic to keep you comfortable as they prepare the abutment teeth. The quick pinch of the injection should be the most uncomfortable part of your procedure.

Typically, they'll need to remove enough enamel on the abutment teeth to allow room for a crown, a process called recontouring. You'll feel pressure from the grinding, but it shouldn't be painful. 

Then they'll take impressions (a rubber mold) of these teeth and the gap between them. These impressions will be sent to a dental laboratory that will make your permanent bridge. In the meantime, you'll be given a temporary bridge, to protect the prepared teeth and gums.

At your next visit, your dentist may temporarily cement your new fixed bridge in place. You'll wear it like this for a few weeks, until you’ve mutually determined that the fit works. Your dentist can make minor adjustments, such as contouring the pontics to improve your bite and ensure a comfortable fit. Then the bridge will be fully cemented into place.

You should be able to go home right after your bridge is cemented.

Getting an implant-supported bridge takes several months. You'll start with dental implant surgery, to create the foundation for your prosthetic abutment teeth. You'll be given a local anesthetic, and an oral surgeon will place one or more screws made of titanium or zirconia into your jawbone, creating artificial roots.

It takes six months for the implant to fuse to the jawbone (a process called osseointegration), so the dentist will cover it with a healing cap. 

Once the screws have fully bonded to the bone, your provider will place abutments (tiny connectors) to attach the implants to dental crowns (which look and function like natural teeth), with the implant-supported bridge spanning the gap in between.

Recovery from a traditional dental bridge procedure is relatively easy. Your mouth and tongue will feel numb until the local anesthetic has worn off, and you'll have some soreness and increased sensitivity to heat and cold, but you'll be able to resume your normal activities right away. Contact your dentist immediately if those symptoms last beyond a few weeks or you have any bleeding, pain, or fever.

Your recovery will be more involved if you need dental implant surgery to secure your bridge, but you still won't need to take time off work to heal. Expect some swelling and tenderness, which should be manageable with over-the-counter pain medications. You can keep your mouth clean and relieve the swelling by using saline (salt water) rinses and sticking to a soft or liquid diet for at least two weeks.

Most dental bridges don't last a lifetime. According to the Cleveland Clinic, they can last between 5 and 10 years, "with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning."

Their longevity also depends on the type of bridge you get. Implant-supported bridges tend to be the strongest, with the most longevity. 

If you want a more permanent solution to replace missing teeth, consider dental implants.

Practicing good oral hygiene will extend your bridge's longevity and help prevent stains. 

Your dentist or hygienist can advise you on the best brushing and flossing techniques, but the keystone habits include brushing after each meal and flossing daily, both under the bridge and between the surrounding teeth. Avoid toothpastes that have abrasive ingredients like baking soda, which can damage the glaze on porcelain implants or porcelain-coated pontics.

Pay special attention to the sides of the teeth next to the bridge—and keep in mind that food can get trapped under the pontics, leading to gum disease and tooth decay. Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings will help ensure that you're keeping the area clean and reduce staining. 

Teeth whitening products don't work on the materials that comprise a bridge or surrounding implants. Your best bet for dealing with stains is prevention with thorough cleaning, especially after you've had dark foods and drinks like red wine and coffee.

Dental bridge complications are rare, but they can include: 

• An allergic reaction to the local anesthetic, bridge materials (especially the metal), or cement
• Increased temperature sensitivity, soreness, or infection of the crowned teeth
• Chipping of the pontics, crowns, or implants
• Loss of the bridge

If you develop a fever or pain, reach out to your dentist right away; these could be signs of a serious infection. 

It’s also wise to avoid chewing sticky or hard foods (including nuts and popcorn kernels) with your bridge, since they can loosen or chip false teeth. Your dentist will be able to repair small chips in a bridge with dental bonding, a procedure that applies a durable resin to fill in the chip. Larger chips or cracks will have to be repaired in a dental lab.

Yes, in some cases a fixed bridge will need to be removed and recemented. Most doctors on RealSelf recommend removing a dental bridge only if medically necessary.