A bridge replaces a missing tooth by anchoring an artificial tooth — called a pontic — to the teeth on either side of the gap. In the front of the mouth, the demands are as much aesthetic as functional: the replacement has to match the shade, shape and translucency of the neighbouring teeth and emerge from the gum convincingly.
When an anterior bridge is a good option
A bridge is often the right answer when the teeth either side of the gap already carry large fillings or crowns, since they need restoring anyway. It is also a practical choice for patients who are not candidates for implant surgery, or who prefer to avoid it. Where the adjacent teeth are entirely healthy and untouched, your dentist at Parkway Dental will usually discuss an implant first, because a bridge requires reshaping those teeth permanently.
What to expect
The supporting teeth are numbed and prepared for crowns. An impression or digital scan captures the prepared teeth, the gap and your bite, and the shade is matched carefully in natural light. A temporary bridge is fitted so you are never without front teeth. At the second visit, the finished bridge is tried in and assessed for fit, bite and appearance — with front teeth we will check it with you in a mirror before cementing, because how it looks to you matters.
Living with a bridge
Missing front teeth affect speech, particularly sounds that need tongue-to-tooth contact, and most patients find speech normalises within a few days of fitting. Cleaning is the one habit that must change: because the bridge is joined, floss cannot pass between the units. You will need a floss threader, superfloss or an interdental brush to clean underneath the pontic daily. Neglecting that space is the most common reason bridges fail. With good hygiene, an anterior bridge commonly lasts ten to fifteen years.