20401 State Road 7, Suite G11, Boca Raton, FL 33498
Filling the Gap Left by Missing Teeth
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth, anchored in place by the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. At Mission Bay Family Dentistry, bridges are custom designed to match the size, shape, and shade of your surrounding teeth, restoring both the look and function of your smile. Beyond appearance, a bridge also helps maintain proper alignment by preventing neighboring teeth from shifting into the empty space, while supporting more even chewing and clearer speech.
We provide dental bridge treatment to patients throughout Boca Raton and the surrounding areas who are looking for a reliable, long-term way to replace missing teeth.
Schedule a Bridge Consultation
Why Replacing a Missing Tooth Matters
An empty space left by a missing tooth can affect more than just the appearance of your smile. Over time, neighboring teeth can shift into the gap, leading to bite problems and increasing the risk of decay or gum disease in teeth that are now harder to clean properly. A missing tooth can also place extra pressure on the remaining teeth during chewing, contribute to jaw discomfort, and, in the case of front teeth, affect speech and confidence.
Replacing a missing tooth with a bridge helps distribute your bite evenly again, keeps surrounding teeth in their proper position, and restores a complete, natural-looking smile.
What to Expect From the Dental Bridge Process
Getting a traditional dental bridge typically takes place over a couple of visits, allowing time for your custom restoration to be crafted. Here's what the process generally involves:
01.
Evaluation and Planning
The dentist examines the gap, surrounding teeth, and bite, and takes X-rays if needed to determine the most suitable type of bridge for your case.
02.
Preparing the Anchor Teeth
The teeth on either side of the gap are reshaped to make room for the crowns that will support the bridge.
03.
Taking Impressions
Detailed impressions of your teeth are taken and sent to a dental lab, where your custom bridge is fabricated to match your bite and smile.
04.
Temporary Bridge Placement
A temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain your appearance while your permanent bridge is being made.
05.
Fitting the Permanent Bridge
Once ready, the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent bridge is checked for fit, comfort, and bite alignment, with adjustments made as needed.
06.
Final Bonding
The bridge is permanently cemented into place, and your bite is checked one final time to make sure everything feels natural and functions properly.
Types of Dental Bridges
Several types of bridges are available, and the right option depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of surrounding teeth, and your overall treatment goals.
- Traditional bridges, which use crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap to support a false tooth, or pontic, in between
- Cantilever bridges, anchored by a crown on only one side of the gap, typically used when there's only one neighboring tooth available for support
- Maryland bridges, which use a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of neighboring teeth rather than full crowns
- Implant-supported bridges, anchored by dental implants rather than natural teeth, often recommended when multiple teeth in a row are missing
The dentist will evaluate your bite, the health of your remaining teeth, and the number of teeth being replaced to determine which type of bridge best fits your case.
Restore Your Smile and Your Bite
A missing tooth doesn't have to affect the way you eat, speak, or smile. Dental bridges offer a dependable, natural-looking way to fill the gap and protect the health of your surrounding teeth. Our team will help determine which type of bridge fits your situation and walk you through every step of the process.
Book Your Bridge Consultation