Bridges

First Visit

At your first dental appointment, your dentist helps you determine which type of crown is the best option to replace missing teeth.

• A traditional dental bridge stays in place by crowns on the adjoining teeth.
• A Maryland bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework to hold the false tooth to the healthy teeth.
• A cantilever dental bridge could work if there is only one natural tooth beside the missing tooth for an anchor.

Your dentist then prepares the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth for crowns. They provide any medical advice you may need. Then it’s time for an impression or a 3D laser scan of your mouth and a temporary dental bridge.

Second Visit

Two weeks later, at your second appointment, the dentist tires out the bridge framework in your mouth. You may need an x-ray. The dentist also takes pictures to help design your new bridge to look like your natural teeth.

Third Visit

At your final appointment, the dentist fits your bridge and makes sure it looks great, feels comfortable, and functions well. You may have another x-ray to be sure the bridge fits properly. If you are getting a removable dental bridge, you’re all set. If you are having a fixed bridge or permanent bridge placed, the dentist then adheres the bridge to the teeth with dental cement.