Dental Bridges in Murrieta

What is a fixed dental bridge?

A fixed dental bridge is a set of connected crowns and replacement teeth that is cemented in place to fill a gap. The ADA’s MouthHealthy site describes it as a fixed partial denture that only your dentist can take out.

The natural teeth on each side of the gap are called abutment teeth. Each one gets a crown, and the replacement tooth is joined between them, so the bridge literally spans the space. If you’d like to know more about the crowns themselves, see our dental crowns page.

Bridges can be made from porcelain, gold, metal alloys or a combination of these. Your dentist will explain which material suits the spot in your mouth, the force of your bite and how the tooth needs to look.

What are the types of dental bridges?

Dentists use four main types of bridges. Which one fits depends on how many teeth are missing, where the gap is and how healthy the teeth beside it are. Cleveland Clinic describes them this way:

• Traditional bridge: crowns on the natural teeth on both sides of the gap hold the replacement tooth. It’s used when the teeth on both sides are healthy.
• Cantilever bridge: a crown on only one side supports the replacement tooth, for gaps with a natural tooth on just one side.
• Maryland bridge: small metal wings bond to the back of the neighboring teeth instead of crowns. It’s most often used to replace front teeth.
• Implant-supported bridge: the bridge rests on dental implants instead of natural teeth. It can be used when three or more teeth in a row are missing.

What happens if you don’t replace a missing tooth?

When a gap stays open, the teeth beside it can shift into the space, and chewing and speaking can feel different. Cleveland Clinic notes that bridges help prevent that drifting and restore chewing and speech.

The ADA’s MouthHealthy site points out that people who are missing teeth may notice a difference in how they chew and speak.

Bone is part of the picture too. Cleveland Clinic explains that the jawbone gradually shrinks after tooth loss, which is one reason your dentist weighs bone health when comparing replacement options.

Not sure what caused a gap, or worried about a tooth that feels loose? Our page on missing teeth walks through common causes and next steps.

How is a dental bridge placed?

A traditional bridge usually takes two visits a few weeks apart. Here’s what typically happens, based on Cleveland Clinic’s overview of the process.

We’re adding digital impressions, which use a small handheld scanner in place of trays of impression material. Read more on our 3D imaging and digital impressions page.

• Exam and planning. Your dentist checks the gap, the teeth beside it and your gums, takes any X-rays needed and talks through your options.
• Numbing and shaping. The area is numbed, and the abutment teeth are reshaped so the crowns can fit over them.
• Impressions. A model of your teeth is made so a dental lab can build your bridge to fit.
• Temporary bridge. You wear a temporary bridge to protect the shaped teeth while the lab works, which usually takes about two to four weeks.
• Fitting and cementing. At the second visit, your dentist checks the fit and your bite, then cements the final bridge in place.

How do you clean under a dental bridge?

Clean under your bridge every day with a floss threader or a small interdental brush. Regular floss can’t pass between the connected teeth, so you need a tool that slips under the replacement tooth.

A floss threader is a flexible plastic loop. Pull a piece of floss through the loop, guide it under the bridge next to the gum, then slide the floss gently along the sides of each support tooth.

The bridge depends on the teeth and gums that hold it up. Cleveland Clinic notes that decay or damage to the support teeth can weaken a bridge, and poor cleaning can lead to gum inflammation. If your gums bleed when you clean, read about gum disease treatment.

• Brush twice a day with a nonabrasive fluoride toothpaste, paying extra attention where the bridge meets the gums.
• Use a floss threader or interdental brush under the bridge once a day.
• Go easy on very hard or chewy foods, which can stress the bridge.
• Keep up regular cleanings and exams so your dentist can check the support teeth and gums.

Bridge vs. implant vs. partial denture: which is better?

There’s no single right answer for everyone. Cleveland Clinic says a blanket recommendation isn’t possible, and for many people more than one option would work well.

A bridge is fixed and usually finished in a couple of visits, but it relies on crowning the neighboring teeth. An implant replaces the tooth root and leaves neighboring teeth alone, but it involves oral surgery and more time. A removable partial denture clips onto your remaining teeth and comes out every night.

Things to weigh include your overall health, the condition of the teeth beside the gap, the bone in the area, how long treatment takes, how you feel about surgery and how much daily cleaning you’re comfortable with. To explore implants in more depth, visit our dental implants page.

Does insurance cover a dental bridge?

Many dental plans help with the cost of a bridge, but coverage depends on your plan. Call us with your plan details and our team will answer your questions.

Our Murrieta office works with most dental insurance plans, including most PPOs, and accepts the UFCW member dental plan. Learn more about dental insurance at our office.

We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and CareCredit, and we’re adding more payment choices with flexible financing. See dental financing for details. Many dental benefits renew at the end of the year, and our team is happy to help you use yours before then.

Questions & answers

Common questions