Bridge

A bridge is a dental restoration that replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost. The loss of a tooth may cause your mouth to “sink” from loss of the bone that supported the tooth. Remaining teeth can also shift. The result may be loss of function and a face that looks older than it should. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks and helps maintain the natural shape of your face.

A fixed bridge is commonly cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing teeth. A false tooth (pontic) replaces the lost tooth or teeth. A pontic is attached to a crown (a restoration that covers a tooth). Crowns, which are cemented on natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.