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At the office of Kahana Family Dental Center, we help patients restore missing teeth with dependable, long-lasting solutions that prioritize comfort, function, and appearance. A gap in your smile can affect more than how you look — it can change the way you chew, speak, and care for your mouth. Our goal is to explain the role dental bridges can play in rebuilding a healthy, natural-feeling smile and to guide you toward the option that best fits your needs.
When a tooth goes missing, the immediate change is visual, but the impact goes deeper. Teeth adjacent to the empty space tend to migrate into the gap over time, which can alter your bite and create new areas that are harder to clean. These shifts increase the risk of cavities and periodontal problems because food and plaque collect in places they didn’t before.
The absence of a tooth also affects how the opposing tooth responds. Without a partner to bite against, the tooth across the arch can over-erupt, changing how your teeth meet and sometimes contributing to jaw discomfort. Gradual bone loss in the area of the missing tooth is another important consequence — when roots are no longer present to stimulate the jawbone, the bone can resorb, altering facial contours and making later restorative options more complex.
Beyond the physical effects, missing teeth can influence daily activities like eating and speaking. Patients may avoid certain foods, affecting nutrition, or notice subtle changes to speech sounds. Addressing tooth loss promptly helps limit these cascading effects and makes long-term maintenance of oral health far easier.
Replacing missing teeth is rarely a one-size-fits-all decision. Rebuilding a smile begins with a comprehensive evaluation that considers oral health, the condition of neighboring teeth, bone levels, cosmetic priorities, and lifestyle factors such as diet and oral hygiene habits. This assessment allows us to recommend solutions that balance longevity, aesthetics, and practicality.
Dental bridges are a widely used restoration that can restore function quickly and reliably. They can be designed to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth and restore chewing efficiency for most everyday foods. For many patients, a bridge can be placed in a relatively short time frame compared with more involved restorative routes.
That said, bridges are one of several effective options. Our approach is to discuss the advantages and limitations of each choice — from removable partials to implant-supported restorations — so you can make an informed decision based on clear clinical facts and your personal preferences.
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by restoring the space with artificial teeth called pontics. In fixed designs, these pontics are anchored to nearby teeth or implants, creating a continuous, stable restoration that looks and functions much like natural teeth. A well-made bridge improves chewing, supports facial structure, and helps prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.
In addition to functional benefits, modern bridge materials are engineered for lifelike appearance. Glazed ceramics and high-strength zirconia provide translucency and color options that can be matched to your natural smile. Properly designed contours make the restoration easier to clean, reducing the risk of plaque buildup at the margins and simplifying daily oral hygiene.
Bridges also offer predictable performance. With routine care and checkups, many fixed bridges provide years of reliable service. The key is maintaining healthy supporting teeth and gums through excellent home care and regular professional maintenance.
Bridge designs vary according to how they derive support. A traditional fixed bridge uses crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap to anchor one or more pontics. This option is appropriate when the neighboring teeth are strong or already in need of crowns. The result is a secure, fixed restoration that is not removed daily.
An implant-supported bridge replaces missing teeth using dental implants as the foundation rather than natural teeth. This design preserves adjacent tooth structure because there’s no need to prepare healthy teeth for crowns. Implant-supported bridges also help maintain the underlying jawbone by restoring the stimulation normally provided by tooth roots.
For smaller gaps, a resin-bonded (or Maryland) bridge can be a conservative choice. It uses metal or ceramic wings bonded to the back of adjacent teeth, minimizing tooth alteration. Each design has trade-offs in terms of durability, invasiveness, and suitability based on the health of surrounding teeth and bone — a tailored exam helps determine the best fit.
Success begins with preparation. Before fabricating a bridge, we evaluate the overall health of your mouth, including an assessment for gum disease and the structural integrity of neighboring teeth. If periodontal disease is present, treating it first is essential to provide a stable foundation for any fixed restoration.
Diagnostic imaging, often including digital x-rays or 3D scans, helps us evaluate bone volume, root positions, and the relationship of the proposed restoration to the rest of the bite. For traditional bridges, the supporting teeth must be strong enough to bear the load; for implant-supported bridges, adequate bone must be present to secure the implants, and bone grafting may be recommended when necessary.
We also consider cosmetic goals and occlusion (how your teeth come together). Shade selection, tooth proportion, and the emergence profile of the final restoration are planned in advance so the bridge complements your smile and feels natural. Thorough planning reduces surprises and helps the treatment proceed smoothly.
Placing a traditional fixed bridge typically involves several visits. The first step is preparing the abutment teeth by reshaping them to receive crowns. Impressions or digital scans are then taken to capture the exact dimensions of the prepared teeth and bite. While the permanent bridge is fabricated, a temporary restoration protects the prepared teeth and maintains aesthetics and function.
It is common to experience some sensitivity and mild soreness after preparation; this generally resolves as the gums heal and you adapt to the temporary condition. When the permanent bridge arrives, we evaluate color, fit, and bite before cementing it into place. Minor adjustments to occlusion or contact points may be made to ensure comfort and symmetry with the rest of your dentition.
Maintaining a traditional bridge requires diligent home care. Cleaning beneath pontics and around crown margins with floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser helps prevent plaque accumulation. Regular dental visits allow us to monitor the restoration and the health of supporting teeth so the bridge can serve you well for many years.
Implant-supported bridges begin with a surgical phase in which one or more dental implants are placed into the jawbone. This is performed as an outpatient procedure, and we discuss anesthesia and sedation options to ensure your comfort. Precise planning with three-dimensional imaging helps guide implant placement for optimal support and aesthetics.
After implant placement, a period of healing is required for osseointegration — the process by which bone fuses to the implant surface. Healing times vary depending on the case, but during this phase you may receive a temporary restoration to preserve appearance and chewing function. The final bridge is typically delivered once integration is complete and the implants are firmly stable.
Implant-supported bridges offer several long-term advantages, including the preservation of jawbone and the avoidance of altering healthy adjacent teeth. They require the same attentive hygiene as natural teeth, and routine follow-up visits ensure the implants and restoration remain healthy. With proper care, implant-supported solutions are an excellent option for restoring multiple teeth with a natural feel.
Throughout the process, our team works to keep you informed and comfortable. We tailor timelines and treatment steps to your specific situation so the final result meets your functional needs and appearance goals.
In summary, dental bridges remain a reliable way to replace missing teeth, restore function, and maintain the integrity of your bite. Whether a traditional fixed bridge, a resin-bonded option, or an implant-supported restoration is the right choice depends on your oral health, bone support, and personal priorities. If you’d like to learn more about how a bridge could fit into your treatment plan, 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 are 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 Kahana Family 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 Kahana Family 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.
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by spanning the empty space with artificial teeth called pontics.
The restoration is supported by abutments, which may be adjacent natural teeth prepared for crowns or dental implants used as anchors, and it restores chewing function, prevents neighboring teeth from shifting, and improves the appearance of the smile.
Replacing a missing tooth addresses more than aesthetics because adjacent teeth tend to drift into the gap, which can alter your bite and create new areas that are difficult to clean.
Untreated gaps also contribute to over-eruption of opposing teeth and gradual bone loss in the area of the missing root, both of which can complicate future restorative care and affect oral health and function.
Common designs include traditional fixed bridges that use crowns on neighboring teeth for support, cantilever bridges for situations with support on only one side, and resin-bonded (Maryland) bridges that use bonded wings to minimize alteration of healthy teeth.
Implant-supported bridges use dental implants as the foundation rather than natural teeth, which preserves adjacent tooth structure and helps maintain jawbone volume; each design has trade-offs in invasiveness, durability, and suitability based on the condition of surrounding teeth and bone.
Determining the most appropriate bridge begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health, including the condition of adjacent teeth, gum health, bone volume, bite relationships, and your cosmetic and functional goals.
At Kahana Family Dental Center we use clinical examination and diagnostic imaging such as digital x-rays or 3D scans to assess support structures and plan restorations that balance longevity, appearance, and hygiene needs.
The traditional fixed-bridge process typically begins with preparing the abutment teeth by reshaping them to receive crowns, followed by impressions or digital scans to capture the exact dimensions for the laboratory restoration.
While the permanent bridge is fabricated, a temporary restoration protects prepared teeth and maintains appearance and function; when the final bridge is ready, the dentist checks fit, color, and bite before cementing it and making any minor adjustments.
Implant-supported bridges start with surgical placement of dental implants into the jawbone under appropriate anesthesia or sedation, then require a healing period for osseointegration when bone fuses to the implant surface.
During healing you may receive a temporary prosthesis to preserve appearance and chewing function, and once integration is confirmed the final bridge is attached to the implants for a stable, long-term restoration that helps preserve bone and avoids altering healthy adjacent teeth.
The lifespan of a dental bridge varies with material selection, the health of supporting teeth and gums, and how well you maintain oral hygiene; many bridges provide years of reliable service with proper care.
Daily cleaning beneath pontics and around crown margins using floss, a floss threader, interdental brushes, or a water flosser, combined with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings, helps prevent decay and periodontal problems that can compromise the restoration.
Potential complications include decay or fracture of abutment teeth, loosening of cemented restorations, periodontal inflammation around supporting teeth, and wear or fracture of the bridge material over time.
Many risks are reduced through careful case selection, treatment of existing gum disease before restoration, precise fit and contours, meticulous home care, and routine professional monitoring to address issues early.
Most patients adapt quickly to a well-designed bridge and regain normal chewing function for everyday foods; minor changes in speech or comfort are common during the initial adjustment period as your mouth becomes accustomed to the restoration.
Your dentist will check occlusion and contacts and make adjustments if necessary so the bridge feels natural, and attentive hygiene and follow-up care help maintain long-term function and comfort when eating and speaking.
Preparation for bridge treatment typically includes a thorough oral exam, diagnostic imaging, treatment of any active decay or periodontal disease, and a discussion of materials, timelines, and expectations so you arrive for treatment in the best possible condition.
After placement, routine follow-up appointments and professional cleanings are important to monitor the restoration and supporting tissues, and your dentist may recommend additional preventive measures such as a nightguard if you have bruxism; contact Kahana Family Dental Center to discuss how a bridge may fit into your treatment plan.
