Restorative
Dental Bridges
A fixed replacement tooth, anchored to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
A bridge fills a gap by joining a replacement tooth to crowns on the teeth next to it. The whole thing is cemented in place, so it does not come out and you do not think about it once it is in.
The trade-off is that the two neighboring teeth have to be prepared for crowns. If those teeth already have large fillings or crowns, that is no loss at all — they were heading for crowns anyway. If they are pristine, an implant is usually the better answer because it leaves them untouched. We will tell you which situation you are in.
Bridges are a good choice when an implant is not possible or not wanted: not enough bone height, a medical reason to avoid surgery, or simply a preference for a faster path with no healing period.
Is this right for me?
- You are missing one tooth, or two next to each other, with solid teeth on both sides.
- The teeth either side of the gap already have large fillings or crowns.
- You would rather not have implant surgery, or you have been told there is not enough bone for one.
What to expect
Assessing the anchors
The teeth either side have to be strong enough to carry the extra load. X-rays and gum measurements tell us whether they are.
Preparing and scanning
Both anchor teeth are shaped for crowns in one numbed appointment, then scanned together with the gap and your bite.
A temporary bridge
You leave with the gap filled. It looks like the final one from talking distance and lets you eat normally on soft food.
Fitting and learning to clean it
We fit and cement the final bridge, then spend real time showing you how to clean underneath it with a floss threader or a small brush. This part decides how long it lasts.
Your comfort
Two teeth prepared at once makes for a longer appointment than a single crown. We schedule it with that in mind rather than rushing, and there is no reason you cannot take a break partway through.
Insurance and payment, sorted before you sit down
We take all PPO plans, Medi-Cal Dental and most Medicare Advantage dental plans, and we check your benefits before treatment so the estimate is in writing. If you need to spread the cost, we work with CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Apply for financing — Cherry Avenue Office
- CareCredit®Apply online in a few minutes. Decision is usually immediate.
- CherryApply on your phone. The pre-qualification check does not affect your credit score.
- SunbitApplied for at the front desk when you come in — takes a few minutes.
Questions patients ask
Bridge or implant — which should I choose?
If the neighboring teeth are healthy and untouched, an implant is usually better because it leaves them alone. If they already need crowns, a bridge does two jobs at once. Bone, health history, timeline and cost all come into it, and we go through your specific case rather than a general rule.
How do I clean under a bridge?
Regular floss will not pass through, so you use a floss threader or a superfloss to get underneath the replacement tooth once a day. We show you in the chair and you practice before you leave.
Can a bridge replace more than one tooth?
Yes, but every extra tooth in the span puts more load on the anchors. Past a certain point an implant or a partial denture is the sounder answer, and we would say so.
Will it feel bulky?
Your tongue will find it for the first few days, particularly underneath where the replacement tooth meets the gum. Most people stop noticing within a week.
What happens if an anchor tooth fails later?
The bridge has to come off, and the plan is reassessed from there. That is the main reason we are careful about which teeth we use as anchors in the first place.
Related services
Thinking about Dental Bridges?
Send a request and we'll call you back to find a time. You'll get a written estimate before anything is booked in the schedule.