Dental Bridges
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with a fixed, non-removable restoration anchored to the neighboring teeth or to dental implants. It restores chewing function and stops nearby teeth from shifting into the gap. Which type — tooth-supported, implant-supported, or resin-bonded — depends on the number of missing teeth and the condition of the teeth next to the gap.
What a Dental Bridge Is and Who It Suits
A bridge is made of a false tooth, called a pontic, held in place by supporting units called abutments — either crowned natural teeth on either side of the gap, or one or more dental implants. It suits patients who:
- Have one or more missing teeth in a row and want a fixed, rather than removable, replacement.
- Have healthy adjacent teeth that can support crowns, or implants already in place, or plan to have them placed.
- Prefer not to have surgery at the missing-tooth site itself, if choosing a tooth-supported bridge rather than an implant-supported one.
How Dental Bridges Are Made and Fitted
- Examination and planning. The dentist assesses whether a tooth-supported or implant-supported approach fits the case.
- Preparing the abutments. For a tooth-supported bridge, the adjacent teeth are reduced and shaped much like a crown preparation. For an implant-supported bridge, implants are placed first in a separate surgical step — see the dental implants page.
- Impression or digital scan of the prepared teeth or implants.
- Temporary bridge, worn while the permanent one is fabricated.
- Laboratory fabrication. The bridge is made as one connected piece, often with a zirconia framework for strength across multiple units.
- Fitting. The bridge is tried in, adjusted, and then cemented onto the abutment teeth or attached to the implants by screw retention or cementation.
Visits and Timeline
A tooth-supported bridge typically takes two main visits, similar to a crown, plus laboratory turnaround of roughly one to two weeks. An implant-supported bridge takes longer overall, because it depends on implant healing time — commonly a few months — before the final bridge can be attached. See the dental implants page for that timeline.
Types of Dental Bridges
- Traditional (tooth-supported) fixed bridge. Abutment teeth on both sides of the gap are crowned to hold the pontic in between. The most common type.
- Cantilever bridge. Anchored to an abutment on one side only, used when there is only one adjacent tooth available; used more cautiously because of the leverage forces involved.
- Resin-bonded (Maryland) bridge. A more conservative option using a metal or ceramic wing bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth, with less reduction of those teeth than a traditional bridge — but generally less durable long-term.
- Implant-supported bridge. Anchored to one or more implants instead of natural teeth, used to replace multiple missing teeth without altering healthy adjacent ones. See prosthodontics for related implant-supported options.
The way the pontic — the false tooth — meets the gum also varies by design. An ovate pontic sits into a shaped socket in the gum for the most natural, tooth-like appearance, while a sanitary or ridge-lap design sits slightly above the gum for easier cleaning underneath. Which design suits a case depends on how the gum has healed at the missing-tooth site.
Bridge vs Implant: Which Fits Better
A tooth-supported bridge does not need a healing period the way an implant does, so it can generally be finished sooner — but it requires reducing the neighboring teeth even if they are otherwise healthy. An implant preserves the adjacent teeth untouched and helps maintain the jawbone at the missing-tooth site, but needs adequate bone volume and a longer overall timeline. A dentist weighs bone level, the condition of the adjacent teeth, and the patient’s timeline before recommending one over the other.
Not sure whether this applies to your teeth?
The only way to know is an examination. Ask a question first if you would rather understand the options before booking anything.
Who Should Wait Before Getting a Bridge
- Abutment teeth with large fillings, cracks, or advanced decay may need a crown or a buildup before they can support a bridge.
- Untreated gum disease around the abutment teeth should be addressed first, since a bridge relies on healthy gum and bone support.
- A long span of several missing teeth in a row is usually better supported by implants than by a conventional tooth-supported bridge.
Aftercare
Cleaning underneath the pontic is essential, since food can trap there — a floss threader, super-floss, or interdental brush is generally needed alongside normal brushing. Routine check-ups let the dentist monitor the abutment teeth and the fit of the bridge over time, since a poorly fitting bridge can allow decay to start underneath it unnoticed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental bridge cost in Turkey?
Exact costs are not published online, since they depend on the type of bridge, the number of units, and the materials involved. A written treatment plan is provided at consultation.
Is a dental bridge better than an implant?
Neither is universally better — a bridge finishes sooner but requires reducing healthy adjacent teeth; an implant preserves those teeth but needs a longer timeline and enough jawbone. See the comparison above.
How long does a dental bridge last?
Commonly in the region of 10 to 15 years with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups. This is a general range, not a guarantee — it depends heavily on the health of the abutment teeth and gums.
Can a dental bridge be done in one visit?
Generally no. It takes at least two visits plus laboratory time, with a temporary bridge worn in between.
What happens to the teeth under a bridge?
The abutment teeth are reduced and shaped, similar to preparing them for a crown — this permanently changes their shape, which is why the health of those teeth matters before choosing this option.
Can a missing back tooth be replaced with a bridge?
Often yes, if the adjacent teeth are healthy enough to serve as abutments, though the heavier chewing forces on back teeth are a factor the dentist weighs when choosing the design and material.
Does a resin-bonded bridge require grinding down the adjacent teeth?
Less than a traditional bridge, but some preparation of the bonding surface is still usually needed.
Can a dental bridge be adjusted after it's fitted?
Minor bite adjustments are usually possible after fitting. If the bridge fits poorly at the gumline or the bite feels significantly off, it may need to be remade rather than adjusted — which is why the try-in stage before final cementation matters.
What happens if a tooth under a bridge needs a root canal later?
A root canal can sometimes be performed through an existing bridge by accessing the tooth from above, then sealing and restoring the access point. In other cases the bridge needs to be removed and remade. This is assessed case by case.
Can a dental bridge replace more than two missing teeth in a row?
A single conventional bridge is generally limited to a short span, since the abutment teeth have to bear the extra chewing load of the missing teeth in between. Longer gaps are more often addressed with an implant-supported bridge, which does not rely on natural teeth for that extra support.
Questions about this treatment?
Every case is different. The most useful first step is an examination, where the options for your teeth can be explained in person.