What Makes This Treatment Worth It

• Fixed and permanent

  Cemented in place, no removal, no adhesives, no movement.

• Prevents tooth shifting

  Holds neighboring teeth in position instead of letting them drift or tilt.

• Restores bite balance

  Missing teeth shift extra chewing force onto remaining teeth, wearing them down faster.

• Clearer speech

  Gaps from missing teeth can affect speech, which a bridge helps correct.

• Natural appearance

  Porcelain pontics are matched to your surrounding tooth color and shape.

Are You a Candidate?

A bridge works best when you are missing one to three teeth in a row, with healthy natural teeth available on either side to serve as abutments. Dr. Ilyabayev evaluates your gum health first, since active gum disease needs to be treated before a bridge can be placed successfully. Good general and oral health supports a predictable, long-lasting result.

• Consecutive missing teeth. One to three teeth in a row missing or beyond saving
• Healthy abutment teeth. Natural teeth on either side strong enough to support crowns
• Controlled gum health. Active gum disease treated first for a lasting result

The Bridge Process

1. Step 1

   Exam and Planning

   Dr. Ilyabayev evaluates the gap, the abutment teeth, and which bridge type fits your case.

2. Step 2

   Preparing the Teeth

   The abutment teeth are gently reshaped, and an impression is taken for the custom bridge.

3. Step 3

   Temporary Bridge

   A temporary bridge protects the prepared teeth while your permanent one is custom made.

4. Step 4

   Final Placement

   The permanent bridge is checked for fit and bite, then cemented into place.

• About 10 years

  Typical bridge lifespan with proper care, per a 2023 review

• About 90%

  Survival rate reported at the 5 year mark across clinical studies

• 2 visits

  Typically needed to complete treatment

• Free

  Consultation to discuss bridge and implant options

Recovery After Getting a Bridge

Most patients adjust to a new bridge within one to two weeks. Mild sensitivity to hot or cold, along with some soreness around the abutment teeth, is normal in the first few days as your gums settle. Speech may feel slightly different at first but typically returns to normal quickly as you get used to the bridge in place. Sticking to softer foods for the first few days after your final bridge is placed can help ease the adjustment.

Caring for Your Bridge

A bridge is brushed and flossed like your natural teeth, though the area underneath the replacement tooth needs extra attention. Floss threaders, a water flosser, or a small interdental brush can clean beneath the pontic where a regular floss strand cannot reach.

Call us if you notice pain when biting, a loose or shifting feeling, or a visible gap forming at the gumline near an abutment tooth. These can signal that the cement seal is breaking down or that decay has developed on an abutment tooth underneath a crown, and catching it early is usually a simple fix.