A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that fills a gap left by one or more missing teeth. It works by anchoring artificial teeth to your natural teeth (or implants) on either side of the space, literally “bridging” the gap. A standard three-unit bridge costs between $2,000 and $5,000, and with proper care it can last well over a decade.
How a Dental Bridge Works
Every bridge has two basic parts. The pontic is the artificial tooth (or teeth) that fills the empty space. The abutments are the natural teeth on either side of the gap that serve as anchors. To create those anchors, your dentist files down the neighboring teeth so crowns can fit over them. Those crowns are permanently cemented in place, and the pontic is fused between them, creating one solid piece that stays in your mouth like your original teeth did.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are four main types, and the right one depends on where the gap is, what teeth are available nearby, and your budget.
- Traditional bridge: The most common option. Crowns are placed on healthy teeth on both sides of the gap, with one or more pontics in between.
- Cantilever bridge: Similar to a traditional bridge, but the pontic is supported by a crown on only one side. This is used when there’s only one neighboring tooth available.
- Maryland bridge: Instead of crowns, thin metal or porcelain wings are bonded to the backs of the neighboring teeth. It’s less invasive because those teeth don’t need to be filed down, but it’s only strong enough for front teeth. The chewing forces on back teeth would dislodge it.
- Implant-supported bridge: Rather than relying on natural teeth, this type sits on titanium posts surgically placed in the jawbone. It’s the strongest and most expensive option, typically used when multiple teeth in a row are missing or when the neighboring teeth aren’t healthy enough to serve as anchors.
What the Procedure Looks Like
Getting a traditional bridge typically requires two appointments. At the first visit, your dentist numbs the area and reshapes the abutment teeth, filing them down so crowns will fit over them. They then take impressions of the prepared teeth and send those molds to a dental lab, where the bridge is custom-built. A color sample is taken at this point so the artificial teeth match your natural ones. You’ll leave with a temporary bridge made of filling material to protect the exposed teeth while you wait.
At the second visit, usually a couple of weeks later, the temporary bridge comes off, the teeth are cleaned, and the permanent bridge is cemented into place. Your dentist will have you bite down gently to check the fit and make any final adjustments. The whole process is done under local anesthesia, so discomfort is minimal.
Materials Used in Bridges
The material your bridge is made from affects both how it looks and how long it lasts. For front teeth, where appearance matters most, all-porcelain or a newer ceramic called e-max provides the most natural look. These materials closely match the color and translucency of real teeth, though porcelain can chip under heavy force.
For back teeth, which absorb more pressure from chewing, stronger materials work better. Porcelain fused to metal combines a metal core for strength with a tooth-colored porcelain coating, though it can sometimes show a faint gray line at the gumline over time. Zirconia has become increasingly popular because it offers metal-level strength with an appearance close to porcelain. Gold is the most durable option of all but is rarely chosen for visible teeth because of its color.
How Long a Bridge Lasts
Most dental bridges last five to seven years at a minimum. With consistent oral hygiene, many last well beyond ten years. The biggest factors that shorten a bridge’s life are decay in the abutment teeth, gum disease, and grinding your teeth at night. Plaque buildup around the bridge can cause cavities underneath the crowns, and once the anchor teeth are compromised, the entire bridge fails. Gum recession can also loosen the foundation over time, and people who clench or grind put enough force on the bridge to crack the materials or shift it out of alignment.
Cleaning Under and Around a Bridge
A bridge requires more deliberate cleaning than natural teeth because you can’t floss normally between teeth that are fused together. The space between the pontic and your gums is a magnet for plaque and food debris, and if ignored, it leads to gum disease and decay in the supporting teeth.
The two essential tools are superfloss and floss threaders. Superfloss has a stiff end you can feed under the bridge, plus a fuzzy middle section that scrubs plaque off the underside of the pontic and along the gumline. A floss threader works similarly: you thread regular floss through its loop, guide the stiff end under the bridge, then pull the floss through and clean as usual. Small interdental brushes and water flossers can also help reach tight spots. Beyond these specialized tools, brushing twice a day and keeping regular dental appointments will go a long way toward protecting your investment.
Bridges and Bone Loss
One limitation of a traditional bridge is that it doesn’t do anything for the jawbone underneath the missing tooth. When a tooth root is gone, the bone in that area no longer receives stimulation from chewing. Your body gradually reabsorbs the unused bone tissue, a process called bone resorption. Over years, the bone and gum tissue under the pontic slowly shrink. This can create a visible gap between the false tooth and your gums, and in some cases it destabilizes the neighboring teeth as well.
An implant-supported bridge avoids this problem. The titanium posts act like artificial roots, transmitting chewing forces into the jawbone and preserving bone density. This is one of the main reasons dentists recommend implants when long-term bone health is a concern, though the higher cost (typically $5,000 to $15,000) puts them out of reach for some patients.
Who Is a Good Candidate
You’re a good candidate for a bridge if you have one or more missing teeth with healthy, strong teeth on either side of the gap. Your gums need to be in decent shape, and you need enough jawbone density to keep the abutment teeth stable. People with advanced gum disease, severely weakened neighboring teeth, or extensive decay in the area generally aren’t eligible until those issues are treated first.
Certain health conditions can also complicate things. Uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and medications like bisphosphonates (used for osteoporosis) can impair healing and increase infection risk. Heavy smokers face higher failure rates. And if you grind your teeth severely without managing it through a night guard or other treatment, the repeated force will damage a bridge quickly.
Cost and Insurance
A traditional or cantilever bridge runs $2,000 to $5,000 for one pontic and crowns on the abutment teeth. Maryland bridges are somewhat less expensive at $1,500 to $2,500. Implant-supported bridges are the priciest option, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on how many implants and teeth are involved.
Dental insurance often covers a portion of bridge costs when the procedure is deemed medically necessary and recommended by a dentist. Purely cosmetic cases typically aren’t covered. Coverage amounts vary widely by plan, so checking your specific benefits before committing is worth the phone call. Many dental offices also offer payment plans to spread the cost over several months.