A dental bridge, also known as a fixed prosthesis, is made to replace one or more missing teeth. Unlike dentures it cannot be removed daily and cleaned. Bridges can be supported in any of three ways:

• By natural teeth
• By implants
• By a combination of teeth and implants

Gaps formed by missing teeth eventually lead the adjacent teeth to rotate or shift into the empty space resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can eventually lead to gum disease and Temporomandibular joint disorders.

A traditional bridge is made by creating a crown for the teeth on either side of the space and placing a false tooth or teeth between the crowns. The crowns, sometimes called caps, can be supported by natural teeth or by implants. The natural teeth or implants that give anchor to the bridge are called abutments. The false tooth or teeth are attached to the crowns and fill the empty space. these are called pontiffs.

If the teeth receiving the crowns are healthy and strong, they probably will not need root canal therapy. However, parts of the teeth will be removed to make space for the crowns. Traditional bridges are made either of porcelain fused to metal (PFM) or ceramics.

There are other types of bridges as well. A cantilever bridge is held in the mouth by one or more crowns on only one side of the space where a tooth is missing. A Maryland bonded bridge consists of a metal framework with “wings” on each side. The wings are bonded to the back of your existing teeth. The false teeth are also bonded to the framework. This type of bridge is also called a resin-bonded bridge or an acid-etched bridge.

Bonded bridges usually are not as expensive as traditional bridges. That’s because the adjacent teeth need less preparation and do not get crowns. However, these bridges are only as strong as the bonding material. Resin-bonded bridges tend not to stay cemented in place as well as other kinds in parts of the mouth where there is a lot of biting force. They also may not be the best choice if the wings will have to be small to avoid getting in the way of the bite or the gums.

Getting a bridge requires at least two visits, but often more. At the first visit, your dentist prepares the teeth and covers them with temporary crowns. The dentist may also make impressions of the teeth.