Restore Your Smile With a Fixed Tooth Replacement
Missing teeth can affect more than the appearance of your smile. They can change the way you chew, speak, and bite, and may allow nearby teeth to shift over time. At Crews Dental, we offer dental bridges for patients in St. Louis, Webster Groves, and the Greater St. Louis area who want a stable, natural-looking way to replace missing teeth.
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that fills the space left by one or more missing teeth. Unlike a removable partial denture, a fixed bridge stays in place and can restore both function and smile appearance.
We plan bridges with long-term comfort in mind, considering the supporting teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health before recommending treatment.
Benefits of Dental Bridges at Crews Dental
A dental bridge can be a practical tooth-replacement option when the surrounding teeth and bite can support it. Benefits may include:
- A fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth
- Improved chewing function
- Better support for speech
- Reduced shifting of nearby teeth
- Improved bite stability
- A natural-looking restoration
- No removable appliance
- A customized option when implants are not preferred or appropriate
The right tooth-replacement choice depends on your oral health, goals, and the condition of the teeth around the missing space.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A traditional dental bridge usually includes crowns placed on the teeth next to the missing space. These supporting teeth anchor one or more artificial teeth that fill the gap.
Bridges can be made from different restorative materials. We will recommend the option that best fits the location of the missing tooth, appearance goals, bite forces, and long-term function.
When Is a Bridge Recommended?
A bridge may be appropriate when one or more teeth are missing and the surrounding teeth are strong enough to support the restoration. It may also be considered when a patient wants a fixed option but is not ready for, or is not a candidate for, dental implants.
A bridge consultation may be helpful if you have:
- One missing tooth
- Several missing teeth in the same area
- Difficulty chewing because of a gap
- Teeth shifting toward an open space
- A visible gap in the smile
- A missing tooth following extraction
- Healthy neighboring teeth that can support the restoration
Traditional and Implant-Supported Bridges
Traditional bridges use natural teeth on either side of the missing space for support. This can be a strong option when those teeth already need crowns or when implant treatment is not the best fit.
An implant-supported bridge uses dental implants as anchors rather than natural teeth. This may be considered when multiple teeth are missing or when preserving adjacent teeth is a priority.
We will compare the advantages, limitations, timeline, and maintenance needs of each option before treatment.
Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants
Bridges and implants can both replace missing teeth, but they work differently.
A traditional bridge relies on nearby teeth for support, while an implant replaces the missing root and supports a crown or bridge from the jawbone.
Neither option is automatically better for every patient. The best choice depends on bone support, gum health, neighboring teeth, bite forces, treatment timeline, and personal preferences.
What to Expect During the Bridge Process
For a traditional bridge, the supporting teeth are prepared for crowns and precise records are taken so the restoration can be custom-made. A temporary bridge may be used while the final restoration is being completed.
When the final bridge is ready, we check the fit, shape, color, and bite before securing it in place. The goal is a restoration that looks natural and feels comfortable when you chew.
Caring for a Dental Bridge
Because a bridge is fixed, daily cleaning around and underneath it is important. Brush twice a day, floss around the bridge, and use a floss threader or water flosser if recommended.
Regular exams and cleanings help us monitor the supporting teeth, gums, and bite. If the bridge feels loose, food becomes trapped around it, or your bite feels different, let us know so we can evaluate it.