At the office of Paparian Dental Associates in Salem, NH, we help people rebuild smiles that look natural and function well. Losing one or more teeth changes how you eat, speak, and feel about your appearance, and the right restoration can protect your oral health for years to come. This page explains how dental bridges work, when they’re a good option, and what you can expect from planning through recovery.
When a tooth is lost, the change goes beyond the visible gap. Nearby teeth can slowly shift toward the open space, altering your bite and making chewing less efficient. Over time that altered bite can place uneven forces on other teeth, which increases wear and may contribute to cracks or fractures.
Bone in the jaw also depends on stimulation from teeth to maintain its volume. Without that stimulation, the surrounding bone gradually resorbs, changing facial contours and complicating future restorative options. Addressing tooth loss in a timely way helps preserve both function and facial structure.
Gaps in the smile can make daily oral hygiene more challenging. Food and plaque accumulate in unusual places when teeth are misaligned, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. A stable restoration helps reestablish proper contact and spacing so brushing and flossing are more effective.
A dental bridge is one of several reliable ways to replace missing teeth. Compared with removable partials, fixed bridges deliver a stable, continuous chewing surface that feels more like natural teeth. Bridges can be supported by natural teeth or by implants, and the ideal option depends on your oral health, the number of missing teeth, and your long-term goals.
Advances in materials and laboratory techniques mean contemporary bridges can be highly aesthetic while withstanding everyday forces. Porcelain, zirconia, and porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations are customized to match tooth shape and color so the result blends seamlessly with adjacent teeth.
Although implants are often the best choice for preserving bone and supporting long spans of replacement teeth, bridges remain an excellent solution when implants aren’t practical or when adjacent teeth already need crowns. A thoughtful treatment plan will compare benefits and constraints so you get the best outcome for your smile.
At its core, a bridge replaces missing teeth with one or more artificial teeth (pontics) linked to supporting elements. In a traditional bridge the support comes from crowns placed on the natural teeth flanking the gap, while an implant-supported bridge anchors to titanium implants embedded in the jawbone. Both approaches create a single, unified restoration that restores chewing function and fills the space.
The choice of material influences strength and appearance. High-strength ceramics like zirconia offer excellent durability and a lifelike translucency, making them a common choice for visible areas. Porcelain-fused-to-metal provides a strong substructure with a natural veneer, and newer monolithic ceramics can deliver both toughness and a refined look.
Design considerations also include the shape of the pontic and how the restoration meets the gumline. Proper contouring prevents food traps and makes daily cleaning easier. Your dentist and the dental laboratory work together to balance function, durability, and aesthetics for a result that functions comfortably in everyday life.
Before any bridge is made, a thorough clinical exam and imaging are essential. X-rays or 3D scans reveal the condition of supporting teeth and the quantity of jawbone. Healthy gums and stable teeth are prerequisites for many bridge designs; if periodontal disease is present, it must be managed before proceeding to protect long-term success.
When natural teeth will serve as abutments, they must be strong enough to bear the load of the bridge. In some cases restorative work—such as root canal treatment, core buildup, or crown lengthening—may be recommended to prepare teeth for durable support. If implants are planned, bone volume and density are evaluated to determine whether grafting or preparatory procedures are necessary.
A collaborative treatment plan also factors in your oral habits, bite patterns, and cosmetic expectations. We’ll discuss how the proposed bridge will meet functional needs and review any steps that improve predictability, such as diagnostic wax-ups, trial restorations, or temporary crowns that allow you to preview the result.
For a traditional fixed bridge, the process typically begins with preparing the abutment teeth and taking precise impressions. A temporary restoration protects the prepared teeth while the lab fabricates the final bridge. At the placement appointment the dentist verifies fit, shade, and bite before cementing the restoration; occasional adjustments afterward are normal as your mouth adapts.
Implant-supported bridges follow a different timeline. Implant placement is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia or with sedation if preferred. After placement, a healing period allows the implants to integrate with the bone. Temporary crowns or bridges can often be used during healing, with the definitive prosthesis delivered once integration and soft-tissue contours are optimal.
Long-term success depends on daily care and regular checkups. Cleanliness around the pontic and beneath the bridge is critical: floss threaders, interdental brushes, or water flossing help remove plaque where a toothbrush can’t reach. Routine dental visits include professional cleaning and examinations to monitor the health of supporting teeth, gums, and the integrity of the restoration.
When designed and cared for properly, a dental bridge can restore chewing efficiency, protect adjacent teeth from drifting, and recreate a balanced, confident smile. If you have missing teeth or are exploring replacement options, contact us to discuss what a bridge might look like for your smile and to learn more about the steps involved.
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 Paparian Dental Associates, 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 Paparian Dental Associates, 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 designed to replace one or more missing teeth by linking artificial teeth, called pontics, to adjacent supporting elements. Bridges restore the continuous surface needed for efficient chewing and help maintain proper tooth alignment by preventing neighboring teeth from drifting into the gap. Modern bridges are fabricated from high-strength materials and are customized to match the shape, size and color of your natural teeth.
Bridges may be supported by natural teeth that are prepared for crowns or by dental implants that anchor the restoration to the jawbone. The design chosen depends on the location of the missing tooth, the health of neighboring teeth and your long-term oral health goals. Properly designed bridges restore function while blending with the surrounding dentition for a natural appearance.
A bridge works by transferring biting forces across the missing-tooth area to the supporting structures, either crowned natural teeth (abutments) or implants. The pontics fill the visible space and re-establish the correct contacts and occlusion so chewing and speech return to normal. Laboratory technicians and the dentist shape and shade the restoration so it functions harmoniously with adjacent teeth.
For tooth-supported bridges, the abutment teeth are prepared to receive crowns that connect to the pontics, forming a single unified restoration. Implant-supported bridges attach to titanium implants that osseointegrate with the jawbone, offering strong, independent support that preserves bone volume and avoids altering neighboring teeth. Both approaches aim to provide a stable, long-term solution when planning and maintenance are performed correctly.
A dental bridge is often recommended when the adjacent teeth already require crowns or when a fixed, nonremovable solution is preferred and implant therapy is not feasible. Bridges can be an excellent option when bone volume is insufficient for implants and grafting is not desired, or when a shorter treatment timeline is important. The dentist will evaluate your overall oral health, bite, and cosmetic goals before recommending a bridge.
Other factors that influence the recommendation include the number of missing teeth, the condition of the periodontal tissues and the presence of systemic conditions that affect healing. A comprehensive exam and imaging help determine whether a traditional bridge, an implant-supported bridge or an alternative such as a removable partial denture is the best fit for your needs. Your dentist will explain the benefits and trade-offs so you can make an informed decision.
Common bridge types include traditional tooth-supported bridges, cantilever bridges, Maryland (resin-bonded) bridges and implant-supported bridges, each suited to different clinical situations. Traditional bridges use crowns on both sides of a gap, cantilever bridges anchor to a single adjacent tooth when space is limited, and Maryland bridges rely on a metal or ceramic framework bonded to the backs of neighboring teeth. Implant-supported bridges are anchored to dental implants and are preferred when preserving jawbone and avoiding alteration of adjacent teeth is a priority.
The choice of material also varies: high-strength ceramics like zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal and newer monolithic ceramics each offer distinct balances of strength and aesthetics. Material selection depends on the restoration's location in the mouth, the expected chewing forces and your aesthetic preferences. Your dentist will recommend the design and material that best meet functional requirements and visual goals.
Evaluation begins with a clinical exam and imaging such as X-rays or 3D scans to assess tooth structure, root health and jawbone volume. The dentist will check for periodontal disease and untreated decay, since healthy gums and stable abutment teeth are essential for predictable long-term results. If supporting teeth are compromised, preparatory treatments—such as root canal therapy, core buildups or periodontal care—may be necessary before bridge fabrication.
When natural teeth will support the bridge, those teeth are reshaped to create space for crowns that will anchor the pontics, and accurate impressions are taken to capture bite relationships and soft-tissue contours. Temporary restorations protect prepared teeth while the final bridge is made, allowing you to function and evaluate aesthetics during the interim. For implant-supported bridges, implant placement and a healing interval are planned to ensure stable integration before the definitive prosthesis is delivered.
For a tooth-supported bridge, placement usually involves preparing abutment teeth, taking precise impressions and fitting a temporary restoration while the lab completes the permanent bridge. At the final appointment the dentist verifies fit, occlusion and shade, makes any necessary adjustments and cements the bridge into place. Most patients experience only mild sensitivity or soreness immediately after preparation and placement, which typically resolves within a few days.
Implant-supported bridges follow a staged approach: implants are surgically placed, then allowed to integrate with the bone over several months before the final bridge is attached. During integration, temporary restorations can maintain function and appearance. After the definitive bridge is seated, routine follow-up visits ensure soft tissue health and restoration fit, and any minor occlusal adjustments are made to optimize comfort and longevity.
Daily hygiene is critical to the longevity of a bridge: brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and use interdental cleaning aids to remove plaque beneath and around the pontic. Floss threaders, interdental brushes or a water flosser are effective at cleaning the area under a fixed bridge where a regular toothbrush cannot reach. Maintaining healthy gums and controlling plaque around abutment teeth reduces the risk of decay and periodontal problems that can compromise the restoration.
In addition to home care, schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings to monitor the bridge and supporting structures. The dentist or hygienist will remove any hardened deposits and check for changes in fit, wear or gum health. Adopting good habits—such as avoiding hard or excessively sticky foods and wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth—helps protect the bridge from premature damage.
With proper design, diligent home care and regular professional maintenance, dental bridges commonly last many years; many last a decade or longer. Longevity depends on factors such as the health of abutment teeth, the quality of the dental materials and laboratory work, oral hygiene, and habits like bruxism that place extra stress on the restoration. Periodontal disease, recurrent decay at abutment margins and trauma can shorten a bridge’s useful life if not promptly addressed.
Regular dental visits allow early detection of issues that could threaten the bridge, and timely interventions can extend its service life. When an abutment tooth fails or the bridge becomes worn, replacement or an alternative solution may be recommended. Discuss realistic longevity expectations with your dentist based on your specific clinical situation and care routine.
Potential complications include decay at the margins of abutment crowns, gum disease affecting support, fracture of the restoration and changes in fit over time as the mouth adapts. Poor oral hygiene or untreated periodontal conditions increase the likelihood of failure, and excessive occlusal forces can lead to chipping or loosening. In some cases, prepping healthy adjacent teeth for crowns can be a disadvantage compared with implant-supported options that spare neighboring teeth.
Careful treatment planning, selection of appropriate materials and proactive maintenance reduce the risk of complications. Your dentist will explain possible trade-offs between different replacement options and outline steps to protect your investment, including periodontal care, occlusal management and routine monitoring. Early attention to sensitivity, mobility or changes in bite helps prevent minor issues from becoming significant problems.
At the office of Paparian Dental Associates in Salem, NH, planning begins with a thorough clinical examination, diagnostic imaging and a discussion of your functional and aesthetic goals. The care team considers the condition of adjacent teeth, gum health and jawbone status to recommend a bridge design or alternative that best meets long-term needs. When appropriate, diagnostic wax-ups, provisional restorations or implant consultations are used to refine the plan and set realistic expectations.
Follow-up care includes regular visits for professional cleaning and evaluation of the bridge and supporting tissues, along with guidance on at-home maintenance specific to your restoration. The practice emphasizes preventive measures and early intervention to protect both the bridge and your natural dentition. If adjustments or repairs are needed, the team coordinates timely treatment to restore comfort and function while preserving oral health.
Our mission is simple: to deliver great oral health and the beautiful smile you deserve. We value your trust and are committed to exceeding your expectations with every solution we provide.
