You are missing a tooth, and every time you eat, speak or smile, you notice the gap.
It may feel like a small issue at first. Over time, however, you might notice food becoming trapped in the space, chewing feeling uneven, or your bite feeling different from the way it did before.
A dental bridge procedure is one option for replacing one or more missing teeth. Unlike a removable denture, a bridge is fixed in place by a dental professional and is not removed for daily cleaning. Healthdirect describes a dental bridge as a fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth.
At Digital Dental Surgery Sydney on York Street in Sydney CBD, patients often want to understand their options for replacing missing teeth. Some are comparing bridges with dental implants, while others are considering partial dentures or simply want to understand what the procedure involves before making a decision.
Here is a clear overview of what a dental bridge procedure can involve, who may be suitable and what you might expect before, during and after treatment.
What Does a Dental Bridge Actually Do?
A dental bridge is designed to fill the space left by one or more missing teeth.
A traditional bridge commonly uses the natural teeth on either side of the gap for support. These supporting teeth are known as abutment teeth. They are prepared so crowns can fit over them, with the replacement tooth, known as a pontic, connected between the crowns.
The Australian Dental Association explains that a conventional bridge commonly involves placing crowns on the teeth immediately in front of and behind the gap, with a false tooth joined between them. You can read more about crowns, bridges and veneers through the ADA’s Teeth.org.au resource.
Once fitted, a bridge fills the missing-tooth space and may help restore aspects of chewing and appearance. Depending on the location of the missing tooth and your individual circumstances, replacing the space may also support overall dental function.
However, every mouth is different.
A bridge is not automatically the right option for every missing tooth. Your dentist needs to assess your remaining teeth, gums, bite and other relevant oral health factors before recommending treatment.
You can also learn more about digital crowns and bridges available at Digital Dental Surgery Sydney.
How Is a Dental Bridge Different From a Removable Option?
One of the main differences between a dental bridge and a removable denture is that a bridge is fixed in place.
You do not remove it at night or take it out for routine cleaning as you would with many dentures. Instead, the bridge remains attached to its supporting teeth and requires cleaning around and underneath it.
For some people, having a fixed restoration is one reason they ask about bridge treatment.
However, there are important considerations.
A traditional bridge generally requires the neighbouring teeth to be reshaped so they can support crowns. If those teeth are otherwise healthy and have had little previous dental treatment, your dentist may discuss whether other options, such as a dental implant, should also be considered.
Healthdirect notes that alternatives to bridges can include dental implants and dentures, with the appropriate choice depending on the individual.
This is why assessment and treatment planning are important. The most suitable option depends on your mouth and dental needs rather than the missing tooth alone.
Who Might Consider Bridge Treatment?
A dental bridge may be considered when someone has one or more missing teeth and is looking for a fixed tooth-replacement option.
A traditional bridge generally requires suitable supporting teeth around the gap. Bridge treatment may also be discussed when a person does not want implant treatment, is not suitable for an implant, or prefers another approach after considering the available options.
Factors that can affect suitability include:
- The condition of the teeth next to the gap
- The number and location of missing teeth
- Gum health
- The condition of the surrounding bone
- Your bite
- Your oral hygiene
- Previous tooth decay or gum disease
- Existing tooth wear
- Whether you grind or clench your teeth
- Your broader dental goals and preferences
A bridge may be appropriate for one person but not another.
For example, if the teeth beside a gap already require crowns, incorporating them into a bridge may be considered in some situations. If the neighbouring teeth are healthy, your dentist may also explain replacement options that do not require those teeth to be reshaped.
Suitability for a dental bridge, the type of bridge recommended and the likely treatment outcome depend on an individual dental assessment.
Step One: Assessment and Planning
Before proceeding with a dental bridge, your dentist will assess your teeth, gums and bite.
This may involve examining:
- The missing-tooth space
- The teeth beside the gap
- Your gum health
- Your bite and chewing forces
- Existing fillings, crowns or other restorations
Dental X-rays may also be recommended to assess the roots of the supporting teeth, bone levels and surrounding structures.
Healthdirect notes that before a bridge is fitted, a dental professional will examine the mouth and may need to address tooth decay or gum disease first. The supporting teeth also need to be assessed to determine whether they can support the bridge.
If a potential abutment tooth has decay, a crack, a large restoration or gum problems, this may need to be considered before bridge treatment proceeds.
Planning also includes discussing the type of bridge that could be appropriate. Not every bridge has the same design, and treatment depends on factors such as where the missing tooth is located and the support available.
During your consultation, the Digital Dental Surgery Sydney team can assess your individual circumstances and discuss the proposed treatment, alternatives, costs and maintenance requirements before you decide whether to proceed.
Step Two: Preparing the Abutment Teeth
If a traditional tooth-supported bridge is considered suitable, the supporting teeth generally need to be prepared.
These teeth sit beside the missing-tooth space and act as anchors for the bridge.
Preparing them involves reshaping the teeth so the crowns that form part of the bridge can fit over them. The amount of tooth preparation required depends on the bridge design and the individual teeth.
Local anaesthetic is generally used during tooth preparation to reduce discomfort.
Your dentist will carefully prepare the supporting teeth with the aim of creating enough space for the restoration while considering your bite and the remaining tooth structure.
The precise process can vary depending on the bridge design, materials used and your individual clinical circumstances.
Step Three: Taking an Impression or Digital Scan
Once the teeth have been prepared, an accurate record of your mouth is needed so the bridge can be designed.
Traditionally, this may involve taking a dental impression. Modern practices may also use an intraoral scanner to create a digital three-dimensional record of the teeth and bite.
The Australian Dental Association notes that impressions or digital scans can be used when creating crowns and bridges.
The information records details such as:
- The shape of the prepared teeth
- The size of the missing-tooth space
- The relationship between neighbouring teeth
- Your bite
For tooth-coloured bridges, the colour and appearance of nearby teeth may also be considered so the restoration can be planned to suit your smile.
The manufacturing process will depend on the bridge type, material and technology being used. Some restorations are produced through a dental laboratory, while digital workflows may use computer-aided design and manufacturing.
Step Four: Wearing a Temporary Bridge
With some dental bridge procedures, a temporary restoration may be fitted while the final bridge is being made.
A temporary bridge can help cover and protect the prepared teeth and fill the missing-tooth space during this period.
Because temporary restorations are not designed to function exactly like the final bridge, your dentist may recommend avoiding particularly hard, sticky or chewy foods.
If you have a temporary bridge, follow the specific care instructions provided by your dental team.
Contact your dentist if the temporary restoration:
- Becomes loose
- Breaks or comes away
- Feels unusually uncomfortable
- Causes problems when you bite
Avoid attempting to repair or recement a temporary bridge yourself unless your dental professional has specifically instructed you to do so.
Not every digital bridge workflow will necessarily require the same steps or a temporary restoration, so the process and number of appointments should be confirmed during your assessment.
Step Five: Fitting the Final Bridge
When the final bridge is ready, your dentist will carefully assess it before it is secured in place.
This may include checking:
- How the bridge fits the prepared teeth
- The shape of the replacement tooth
- The appearance and shade where relevant
- Contact with neighbouring teeth
- How your upper and lower teeth meet
Your dentist may place the bridge temporarily over the prepared teeth and ask you to bite together or move your jaw so the bite can be assessed.
Adjustments can sometimes be made before final cementation.
Checking the bite is important because a bridge needs to function alongside your natural teeth without creating unwanted pressure.
Once your dentist is satisfied that the restoration is clinically appropriate, the bridge can be secured according to the chosen bridge design and material.
What Can You Expect After a Dental Bridge Procedure?
Experiences following bridge treatment vary.
Some people may notice temporary sensitivity around teeth that have been prepared for crowns. Your mouth may also need time to become accustomed to the shape and feel of the new restoration.
Your tongue may notice the bridge at first, and chewing can initially feel different as you adapt.
Healthdirect notes that complications associated with a dental bridge can include problems with fit, pain, loosening or damage to the bridge or supporting teeth, so ongoing or worsening symptoms should be assessed rather than ignored.
Your dentist will provide aftercare instructions based on your treatment.
Contact the practice for advice if you notice:
- Persistent or increasing discomfort
- A bridge that feels loose
- Pain when biting
- A bite that feels noticeably high or uneven
- Swelling or other unexpected symptoms
- Difficulty cleaning around the bridge
Individual recovery and adjustment can differ, so your dentist is best placed to advise what is expected in your particular case.
Caring for a Dental Bridge Long Term
A dental bridge requires ongoing care.
Although the artificial parts of a bridge cannot develop tooth decay in the same way as natural tooth structure, the supporting teeth can still develop decay or gum problems.
Plaque can accumulate around the margins of the bridge and beneath the replacement tooth. Effective cleaning is therefore particularly important.
The Australian Dental Association recommends brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth every day. It also advises that people with bridges may need tools such as super floss, floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean underneath the bridge.
Looking after your bridge may involve:
- Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning underneath the bridge every day
- Using floss threaders, super floss or interdental brushes if recommended
- Attending dental check-ups at intervals appropriate for you
- Having professional cleaning when advised
- Avoiding biting very hard objects
- Managing grinding or clenching if this is affecting the restoration
- Contacting your dentist if the bridge becomes loose, uncomfortable or damaged
Cleaning beneath a bridge can feel unfamiliar initially. Your dentist or dental hygienist can demonstrate a technique and recommend suitable cleaning aids for your bridge.
Good home care is important because the long-term health of the teeth supporting the bridge matters just as much as the restoration itself.
Is a Dental Bridge Right for You?
There is no single tooth-replacement option that is right for everyone.
A dental bridge may be considered for some people who have missing teeth and want a fixed replacement. Other people may be better suited to a dental implant, partial denture or another approach.
A dental implant, for example, replaces a missing tooth using an implant placed in the jawbone rather than relying on the neighbouring natural teeth for support. The Australian Dental Association notes that implants, dentures and dental bridges are all possible options for replacing missing teeth, with different advantages and considerations.
A partial denture may be considered when several teeth are missing or when a removable replacement better suits the person’s circumstances.
The most appropriate option can only be determined after a dental assessment.
Your dentist can examine the missing-tooth space, check the teeth that could support a bridge, assess your gums and bite, and explain the advantages, limitations and alternatives relevant to your situation.
Dental bridge suitability, treatment recommendations, longevity and results vary between individuals and depend on factors identified during a professional dental assessment.
If you are in Sydney CBD and considering how to replace a missing tooth, contact Digital Dental Surgery Sydney to arrange an assessment and discuss whether a bridge or another tooth-replacement option may be suitable for you.
FAQs
How long does a dental bridge procedure take?
The timeline depends on the type of bridge, the condition of your teeth and the way the restoration is being made.
Traditional dental bridges commonly require more than one appointment because the teeth need to be prepared and the final restoration then manufactured and fitted. Healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association both note that conventional bridge treatment typically involves multiple appointments.
Digital workflows can differ, so your dentist can explain the likely number and length of appointments after assessing your case.
Is getting a dental bridge painful?
Local anaesthetic is generally used when teeth need to be prepared, which is intended to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
Some people experience temporary sensitivity or tenderness afterwards. Experiences vary, and persistent or worsening pain should be assessed by your dentist.
How long does a dental bridge last?
There is no guaranteed lifespan for a dental bridge.
Healthdirect states that a well-cared-for bridge can last for many years, while the Australian Dental Association emphasises that teeth restored with bridges still require ongoing care and may need further treatment in the future.
Longevity depends on individual factors such as:
- Oral hygiene
- Gum health
- The condition of the supporting teeth
- Bite forces
- Grinding or clenching
- Diet and habits
- Regular professional dental care
Your dentist can discuss factors that may affect the outlook for your particular bridge.
Can anyone get a dental bridge?
No. A dental bridge is not suitable for everyone.
Suitability depends on factors such as the condition of the teeth beside the gap, gum health, bite, oral hygiene and the number and position of missing teeth.
A dental assessment is necessary before a dentist can determine whether a bridge is an appropriate treatment option.
What is the difference between a dental bridge and a dental implant?
A traditional dental bridge usually relies on neighbouring teeth for support. A dental implant uses an implant placed into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth and does not usually require the neighbouring teeth to be prepared for crowns.
Your dentist can help you compare the options based on your oral health, preferences and individual clinical circumstances.
How do I clean underneath a dental bridge?
Normal brushing alone cannot clean every surface underneath a bridge.
Depending on your bridge design, your dentist or hygienist may recommend:
- Floss threaders
- Super floss
- Interdental brushes
- Other appropriate interdental cleaning aids
The Australian Dental Association recommends daily cleaning beneath bridges and advises asking your dentist to demonstrate the most suitable technique.
