At the office of Mountainview Dental, we help patients restore lost teeth with practical, well-planned solutions that prioritize function, comfort, and appearance. If tooth loss has affected your ability to chew, speak, or smile with confidence, a carefully designed dental bridge may be an excellent option to regain stability and protect the surrounding teeth.
Losing a tooth is rarely just a cosmetic issue. The empty space alters how forces move through your mouth when you chew, which can shift the balance of pressure on neighboring teeth and the jaw. Over time, this imbalance can lead to drifting of adjacent teeth, tipping, and changes in your bite that make chewing less efficient and, in some cases, cause additional tooth wear.
When a tooth is missing, the opposing tooth may begin to over-erupt into the gap because there is no contact resisting its movement. These changes not only complicate future restorative work but also make routine oral hygiene more difficult, creating niches where plaque accumulates and gum problems can develop if left unchecked.
Beyond the mechanics, tooth loss affects daily life — speech patterns can change, food choices may be limited, and many people notice a drop in confidence. Treating the gap proactively helps preserve the long-term health of the surrounding teeth and supports a more stable, comfortable bite.
Modern dentistry offers a range of reliable options to replace missing teeth, each with different strengths. The best approach for any patient depends on the number and position of missing teeth, the health of remaining teeth and bone, and the patient’s functional and aesthetic goals. A careful evaluation allows the dental team to recommend a tailored plan that balances longevity, appearance, and ease of care.
Solutions include removable appliances, fixed bridges that use adjacent teeth for support, and implant-supported restorations that anchor replacement teeth directly to the jawbone. While removable options can restore function quickly, fixed and implant-supported bridges typically provide greater stability and a more natural feel because they are secured in place.
Discussing lifestyle factors — such as whether you prefer an option that can be removed at night, how important a natural appearance is to you, and how you maintain oral hygiene — helps the dental team match you with a solution that you’ll be comfortable living with day to day.
A dental bridge replaces one or more adjacent missing teeth by spanning the empty space with artificial teeth, called pontics, that are supported at each end. The support can come from natural teeth that have been prepared for crowns or from dental implants placed into the jaw. Either approach restores the continuity of the dental arch and re-establishes normal contact between upper and lower teeth.
By filling the gap, a bridge prevents neighboring teeth from drifting toward the empty space and helps maintain the original alignment of your bite. That protection preserves chewing efficiency and reduces abnormal forces on individual teeth that can otherwise lead to sensitivity or fracture.
Well-designed bridges are shaped and shaded to blend with surrounding teeth so they function and appear natural. With routine care and professional oversight, a bridge can be an effective long-term solution that supports oral health and daily comfort.
Traditional fixed bridge
This approach uses crowns on the teeth immediately next to the gap to anchor one or more pontics. It’s a time-tested option when adjacent teeth are healthy enough to serve as abutments and when the span is modest. The procedure restores chewing function and looks similar to natural teeth, but it does require altering the supporting teeth so they can receive crowns.
A cantilever bridge is a variation used when there is only one reliable abutment tooth on one side of the gap. Because the support comes from a single side, careful planning is essential to ensure the restoration remains stable under normal biting forces.
Implant-supported bridge
Implant-supported bridges are anchored to dental implants rather than natural tooth crowns. This avoids placing stress on adjacent teeth and closely mimics the way natural teeth are supported. For many patients, implant support improves comfort, chewing efficiency, and preservation of the jawbone because implants transmit biting forces into the bone and help maintain its volume.
Implant-supported solutions are particularly useful when multiple teeth in a row are missing or when remaining teeth are not suitable to act as abutments. Treatment planning uses three-dimensional imaging to determine optimal implant placement and predict long-term success.
Before any bridge is made, the dental team assesses the overall health of your mouth. That assessment includes examining the condition of the gums, checking for decay or cracked teeth, and evaluating bone levels in the areas that will support the restoration. Ensuring a healthy foundation is essential to a predictable outcome.
If gum disease or active decay is present, those concerns must be addressed first so the bridge sits on solid, disease-free tissue. For traditional bridges, the abutment teeth must be strong and well-supported by bone. For implant-supported bridges, sufficient bone must be available or, when necessary, bone grafting may be recommended to create a stable base for implants.
During the planning phase we also discuss expectations for appearance and function and review oral hygiene strategies. Patients who can maintain excellent hygiene around the bridge are more likely to enjoy long-term success.
Placing a traditional fixed bridge is typically completed over multiple visits. The process begins with a thorough diagnostic appointment where X-rays and impressions or digital scans are taken to develop a precise treatment plan. At the next visit, the abutment teeth are prepared by shaping them to receive crowns.
After preparation, impressions or digital records are taken for the laboratory, and a temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain appearance and function while the permanent restoration is fabricated. Temporary restorations are designed for short-term use and should be treated gently to avoid damage.
At the final appointment the permanent bridge is tried in, adjusted for fit, appearance, and bite, and then cemented in place. A brief period of mild sensitivity or altered bite sensation is normal as your mouth adapts. Follow-up visits allow the team to make minor adjustments and confirm that the restoration is functioning well.
Implant-supported bridges begin with a careful surgical phase in which implants are placed into the jawbone. This is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia and, if desired, sedation. Post-operative instructions and comfort measures are provided to help manage swelling and soreness during the initial healing period.
After placement, implants require time to integrate with the bone — a process called osseointegration — which can take several months. During this healing phase, a temporary restoration can often be used to maintain appearance and some function. Once the implants have bonded sufficiently, impressions are taken for the final bridge, which is then connected to the implant abutments.
Recovery is gradual: most patients return to normal activities within a few days, and regular follow-ups ensure the implants and restoration are healthy. Good oral hygiene and routine professional care are key to the long-term performance of implant-supported bridges.
Whether you are evaluating a traditional fixed bridge or an implant-supported option, our team takes a patient-centered approach that focuses on lasting function and natural-looking results. If you’d like to learn more about how a dental bridge could restore your smile, please contact us for more information.
Your new bridge is customized to the exact specifications of your smile. Before cementing to the underlying teeth or affixing it to the supporting implants, the shade, occlusion, and all aspects of its fit get carefully checked. In addition to being designed to blend seamlessly with your smile, it's also made to suit your bite and withstand all manner of oral function. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and that your bite feels comfortable.
Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge is a worthwhile investment in the look, health, and function of your smile. While many dental insurances offer coverage for a dental bridge, and some toward the cost of implants, the benefits and amounts can vary significantly from plan to plan. At the office of Mountainview Dental, we understand the financial considerations involved in care and do all we can to help patients begin treatment without any additional stress or delay. In addition to doing our best to optimize your dental benefits, we also offer several payment and financing options. Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions on the cost of care, dental insurances, financing plans, or acceptable forms of payment.
Now that your new permanent crown or bridge is in place, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene. With proper care, your new restorations will last for years to come. Make sure to brush and floss as instructed. We'll show you how to floss under your dental bridge to keep your new smile clean and bright. Remember to make appointments for your routine checkups and professional cleanings.
The standard answer is that with routine dental visits and good home care, a bridge can last ten to fifteen years, and in many cases, much longer.
At the office of Mountainview Dental, we fabricate your bridge from the highest quality dental materials to achieve the most cosmetically pleasing and lifelike results of care. It's also customized to the exact specifications of your smile and designed for optimal aesthetics, strength, and stability. Once fabricated and cemented into place, you'll feel confident sharing your smile, speaking, and eating your favorite foods.
As your trusted partner in care, we analyze every aspect of your smile to develop a treatment plan that provides aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and long-lasting results of care.
For more information on dental bridges, or any services we provide, give us a call today.
