What Is a Dental Bridge?

In the following video, Brent Bradford, DDS, explains the different types of dental bridges and how they’re used to replace successive missing teeth.

A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. The traditional form of a dental bridge involves preparing the teeth on either side of the gap—these are known as abutment teeth—to support the bridge. Crowns are placed on these abutment teeth, and artificial teeth, called pontics, are attached between them to fill the space.

In our practice, however, we prefer to utilize dental implants to address missing teeth whenever possible. This method does not require altering the neighboring natural teeth. Instead, implants are placed in the jawbone at the site of the missing teeth, and the bridge is anchored to these implants.

This approach preserves the integrity of the adjacent natural teeth, which is a significant advantage over the conventional bridgework. If you’re exploring options for replacing missing teeth, please reach out to us for a free consultation. We’ll assess your situation and discuss whether dental implants could be a suitable solution for you.