Dental Bridges

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 get 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 Nova 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 Nova 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 prosthetic that replaces one or more missing teeth by suspending artificial teeth, called pontics, between adjacent supports. These supports can be natural teeth prepared to receive crowns or dental implants that act as artificial roots. By filling the gap, a bridge restores chewing function, speech clarity, and the continuity of the dental arch.

Bridges also help maintain proper occlusion by re-establishing contact with opposing teeth and preventing neighboring teeth from drifting into the empty space. A well-designed bridge distributes bite forces across multiple teeth or implants, reducing excessive load on any single tooth. Because bridges are secured in place, they offer stable function compared with many removable options when maintained with appropriate oral hygiene.

Common bridge designs include traditional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, resin-bonded (Maryland) bridges, and implant-supported bridges. Traditional fixed bridges use crowns on adjacent teeth to anchor the pontic or pontics, while cantilever bridges attach to a crown on only one side and are used in low-force areas. Resin-bonded bridges use a metal or ceramic wing bonded to the back of adjacent teeth and are a more conservative choice when little alteration to neighboring teeth is desired.

Implant-supported bridges rely on dental implants placed in the jaw to provide support instead of natural teeth, which helps preserve bone and avoids preparing healthy abutment teeth. The clinical choice depends on the number and location of missing teeth, the health of adjacent teeth and gums, bone volume, and patient preferences. Your dentist will review these factors and recommend the design that balances durability, tissue health, and aesthetics.

Good candidates for a dental bridge generally have one or more missing teeth with healthy or restorable adjacent teeth, adequate bone and gum health, and a commitment to maintaining oral hygiene. Patients with uncontrolled periodontal disease, significant decay, or teeth that cannot support a prosthetic restoration may require preliminary treatment or an alternative approach. A comprehensive evaluation including clinical examination and imaging helps determine whether a bridge is appropriate.

When multiple adjacent teeth are missing or when preserving adjacent tooth structure is a priority, implant-supported solutions may be considered as an alternative or complement to traditional bridges. Factors such as general health, healing capacity, and oral habits like bruxism are also important when planning treatment. A consultation at Nova Dental can clarify candidacy by reviewing your oral health, treatment goals, and available restorative options.

An implant-supported bridge is anchored to dental implants surgically placed in the jaw, while a traditional bridge relies on crowns over natural adjacent teeth for support. Implant support avoids preparing healthy neighboring teeth and helps preserve bone volume by replacing the function of missing roots. This approach often provides superior long-term stability and is particularly useful when multiple adjacent teeth are missing and sufficient bone is available for implant placement.

The treatment timeline for implant-supported bridges typically includes a surgical phase and a healing period to allow osseointegration before the final restoration is attached. In contrast, traditional bridges usually require dental preparation and a shorter restorative timeline without surgical placement. The clinical decision is based on oral health, anatomy, patient preference, and a discussion of expected outcomes and maintenance requirements.

Treatment for a traditional fixed bridge usually begins with a diagnostic evaluation, imaging, and any necessary preparatory care such as treating decay or periodontal issues. During the first restorative appointment the abutment teeth are prepared by removing a small amount of enamel to create room for crowns, and impressions or digital scans are taken for fabrication of the bridge. A temporary bridge is placed to protect prepared teeth and maintain function while the laboratory creates the final restoration.

At the placement appointment the dentist tries in the final bridge, makes adjustments for fit, occlusion, and aesthetics, then permanently cements the restoration once everything is confirmed. Routine follow-up appointments help monitor the restoration and surrounding tissues to ensure long-term health. At Nova Dental’s North Haven and Cromwell offices, clinicians coordinate diagnostic work, laboratory communication, and follow-up care to support predictable outcomes.

After placement of a traditional bridge some patients experience mild sensitivity, soreness of the prepared teeth, or temporary speech changes as the mouth adjusts to the restoration. These symptoms are usually short-lived and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and a soft-food diet for a few days as needed. Careful oral hygiene around the bridge and adherence to any post-op instructions reduce the risk of complications and help speed recovery.

When implants are involved, a surgical phase requires additional healing time and possible temporary restorations to maintain appearance and function. During implant healing patients should follow surgical aftercare directions, avoid placing excessive force on the area, and attend follow-up visits to confirm osseointegration. Your dental team will provide clear instructions and monitor healing progress until the final restoration is placed.

Maintaining a dental bridge requires consistent oral hygiene practices including twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, and cleaning under the pontic with specialized floss or interdental brushes. Because decay and gum disease around supporting teeth are leading causes of bridge failure, keeping the abutment teeth and surrounding tissues healthy is essential. Regular dental cleanings and exams allow your clinician to monitor the restoration and address any early signs of trouble.

Avoiding harmful habits such as chewing ice, using teeth as tools, or persistent nail-biting reduces the risk of chipping or loosening the bridge. If you have bruxism, your dentist may recommend a nightguard to protect the restoration and natural teeth from excessive wear. Promptly report any looseness, discomfort, or changes in fit so adjustments or repairs can be made before more significant issues develop.

Potential risks include decay of the abutment teeth, gum disease around the supports, fracture or debonding of the restoration, and sensitivity following tooth preparation. Over time changes in the supporting teeth or bone can affect fit and function, which is why regular monitoring and maintenance are important. Proper diagnosis and treatment planning help reduce these risks by addressing underlying oral health issues before placing a bridge.

Implant-supported bridges carry surgical risks such as infection, insufficient bone integration, or sinus involvement in the upper jaw, though these outcomes are uncommon with careful planning. Your dentist will review clinical findings, imaging, and medical history to identify and mitigate factors that increase complication risk. Early intervention and adherence to home care and recall visits improve the likelihood of a predictable long-term result.

The longevity of a dental bridge depends on the quality of the restoration, the health of the supporting teeth and tissues, and the patient’s oral hygiene and habits. Many well-maintained bridges last for a decade or longer, while some may need repair or replacement sooner due to decay, gum disease, or mechanical wear. Regular dental visits allow your clinician to evaluate the restoration’s condition and recommend maintenance or replacement as needed.

Signs that a bridge may need attention include persistent sensitivity, looseness, changes in bite, or recurrent decay around the abutment teeth. Rather than waiting for failure, early evaluation of these symptoms allows less invasive repairs or targeted treatments. Establishing a preventive care routine and following professional advice are key to extending the service life of a bridge.

Deciding among a bridge, implant, or denture involves an assessment of oral health, the number and location of missing teeth, bone volume, esthetic goals, and the patient’s functional needs. Bridges are effective when adjacent teeth can serve as reliable supports, while implants replace tooth roots and are preferred when preserving adjacent tooth structure and bone is a priority. Dentures may be appropriate for multiple missing teeth or when a non-fixed option better suits the patient’s needs.

A thorough consultation with your dentist will review clinical findings, imaging, and the pros and cons of each option to align treatment with your goals and anatomical realities. Your clinician can explain the expected sequence of care, maintenance requirements, and any preliminary treatments that may be necessary to enable a successful outcome. If you would like a personalized recommendation, schedule a consultation with the team at Nova Dental to review your options and create a treatment plan tailored to your oral health needs.