Mon to Fri from 8 AM · 5255 S 4015 W, Suite 180, Taylorsville
Southwest Dental · TaylorsvilleReady when you are.Call the office or send a request and we will find you a time. Same-day visits are held for emergencies. We speak English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
A bridge is a false tooth joined to crowns on the teeth either side of the space. It is cemented in place and stays put.Bridges restore chewing, keep neighboring teeth from drifting into the gap, and keep your bite and smile in line. They are made of the same tooth-colored porcelain or zirconia as crowns and are matched to your other teeth.Most bridges replace one or two teeth; longer spans can be supported by implants.
Types
Traditional, cantilever and implant bridges.
A traditional bridge uses a crowned tooth on each side of the gap. It is the most common and the strongest.A cantilever bridge anchors to one side only, for spaces at the end of a row with a strong tooth beside them. A Maryland bridge bonds a thin wing to the back of the neighboring teeth and suits a single missing front tooth. An implant-supported bridge sits on two implants and spares the natural teeth entirely.
The process
What to expect.
Two visits, about two to three weeks apart, with a temporary bridge in between.At the first visit the anchor teeth are numbed and shaped, an impression is taken, and a temporary bridge protects the teeth. At the second, the finished bridge is checked for fit, bite and shade, then cemented. You can eat normally the same day, favoring softer foods for a day or two.
Brush as usual and clean under the false tooth every day with floss threaders, a water flosser or a small interdental brush.The anchor teeth are the weak point: decay at the edge of a crown is what shortens a bridge. With daily cleaning and six-month checkups, bridges commonly last 10 to 15 years or more.
Where to nextRelated restorative careOther ways we replace and rebuild teeth.
Mon to Fri from 8 AM · 5255 S 4015 W, Suite 180, Taylorsville
Questions patients ask
Bridge questions
How long does a bridge last?Ten to fifteen years is typical, and many last longer with good flossing under the false tooth and regular checkups.Does a bridge feel natural?Within a week or two most patients forget it is there. It is cemented in place, so there is nothing to remove at night and nothing that moves when you chew.What does a bridge cost?Roughly the cost of three crowns for a three-unit bridge. Most dental plans cover part of it. We check your benefits and give you a written estimate before we begin.
Southwest Dental · TaylorsvilleReady when you are.Call the office or send a request and we will find you a time. Same-day visits are held for emergencies. We speak English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
