Do I really need a bridge after almost 20 of not having a tooth to keep my teeth from shifting?

Dental bridge can prevent shifting of your teeth, and causing interference on your bite, so other teeth do not get loose.If the tooth has been gone for a long time probably the apposing tooth have shifted also, and you need to see an expert dentist to evaluate if you are a candidate for porcelain bridge, and give you all your options! 

 HI Rachel,Your dentist is looking out for the best long term survival of your teeth.  You do not "need" a bridge but to prevent issues in the future as your dentist has suggested this will definitely help. Your teeth will continue to migrate slowly into the empty space.  Ideally, you would get something to maintain that space but the decision is ultimately up to you!

Tooth loss often sets a process in motion that MAY cause future problems.  Replacing a missing tooth can be done with a bridge, an inplant or a removable appliance.  If your mouth is healthy and you do not replace the tooth I suggest you get a night-time appliance covering the missig spot.  This will prevent tooth shifting and leave you the best options in the future.

Yes, your teeth will continue to shift if there is nothing to stop them from moving into the available space and a bridge can help prevent that. Although it took many years to get to this point, I suggest following the proposed plan from you dentist to ensure your teeth do not continue to shift. He understands what can happen over time and is suggesting you take measures to avoid bigger problems in the future. 

Hi:Although it has been a while since you have extracted your teeth, a bridge can still help prevent any further shifting.Best,Dr. Maddahi

Rachael, your teeth can shift all through out your life. Unfortunately, as your teeth shift you will lose more teeth as you age. The more teeth you lose the more aged your facial appearance will be. So, your dentist is correct. You should consider a tooth replacement if you do not want to lose more teeth as you age. Rachael, you are only 34 years of age and have quite a number of years to go.