Dental Bridges

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 are 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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes, 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 Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes, 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 restorative appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth by spanning the gap with one or more artificial teeth called pontics. The pontics are supported at each end by crowns placed on adjacent natural teeth (abutments) or by dental implants, creating a continuous chewing surface. Bridges are custom fabricated to match the size, shape, and color of your surrounding teeth so they blend into the smile.

By restoring contact between teeth and reestablishing proper occlusion, a well-designed bridge helps distribute bite forces evenly and reduces abnormal wear on remaining teeth. Bridges also help maintain facial contours and make chewing and speech more comfortable. The result is a stable, everyday solution that can be tailored to balance durability and natural appearance.

When a tooth is lost, the visible gap is only the beginning of broader changes that can affect oral function and health. Adjacent teeth tend to drift toward the empty space, which can alter the bite, create uneven chewing forces, and increase the risk of premature wear or fracture of neighboring teeth. Changes in chewing patterns may also strain the jaw muscles and contribute to discomfort or headaches.

Tooth loss also reduces stimulation to the underlying jawbone, which can lead to gradual bone resorption and changes in facial support over time. Replacing missing teeth with an appropriately designed restoration helps preserve tooth spacing, supports soft tissues, and lowers the chance of future problems related to shifting and wear. Early evaluation and treatment planning can minimize these secondary changes.

Several bridge designs address different clinical needs. A traditional fixed bridge uses crowns on two adjacent teeth to support one or more pontics and is a common choice when those abutment teeth are healthy enough to receive crowns. A cantilever bridge attaches to only one abutment when space or anatomy limits support on the opposite side.

Other options include resin-bonded (Maryland) bridges that use a metal or ceramic framework bonded to the back of adjacent teeth and are often used for replacing front teeth with minimal alteration of those teeth. For patients who want to avoid modifying natural teeth or who need to replace multiple adjacent teeth, implant-supported bridges are an effective alternative that provides robust support and helps preserve bone.

Implant-supported bridges are anchored by dental implants that function as artificial tooth roots, rather than by crowns on natural teeth. Because implants integrate with the jawbone, they provide strong, standalone support that prevents the need to prepare adjacent healthy teeth for crowns. Implant-supported solutions are especially advantageous when replacing several missing teeth in a row or when long-term bone preservation is a priority.

The treatment timeline for implant-supported bridges includes a surgical phase and a healing period for osseointegration, which may extend the overall course of care compared with a traditional bridge. Once implants have integrated, the final restoration offers excellent stability and chewing efficiency, but the recommended approach depends on bone volume, systemic health, and the patient’s preferences.

Candidacy for a dental bridge is based on a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation that considers the condition of adjacent teeth, gum health, bone volume, and your bite. The clinical exam is often paired with digital imaging to assess root and bone structure, and the dental team evaluates whether abutment teeth can reliably support a restoration or whether implants would be preferable. Good periodontal health is essential before placing a fixed bridge, and any active gum disease should be treated first.

We also review functional factors such as bruxism, occlusal forces, and overall oral hygiene habits because these influence long-term success. If adjacent teeth require extensive restorations or if bone volume is limited, options such as implant-supported restorations, additional preparatory procedures, or alternative designs may be recommended to achieve a predictable, durable result. A collaborative discussion with the dental team helps match treatment to your oral health goals and lifestyle.

Treatment for a traditional fixed bridge typically begins with preparing the abutment teeth by removing a small amount of enamel so crowns can be placed. Accurate impressions or digital scans are taken to guide laboratory fabrication, and a temporary bridge is used to protect prepared teeth and maintain function while the final restoration is made. Patients commonly experience mild sensitivity and gum tenderness after preparation, which usually improves after a few days.

For implant-supported bridges, the process includes surgical placement of implants followed by a healing period for osseointegration before the final bridge is attached. Temporary restorations may be used during healing for aesthetics and comfort when appropriate. Before final cementation or attachment, the dentist verifies shade, fit, contours, and bite, and minor adjustments are often made in the weeks after placement to ensure even contact and comfortable function.

Modern bridges are made from a range of materials chosen for strength, aesthetics, and the location of the restoration. Common options include layered porcelain for lifelike translucency, high-strength ceramics such as zirconia for durability in high-force areas, and porcelain-fused-to-metal when extra strength is needed. Each material offers different trade-offs in terms of translucency, color-matching ability, and resistance to fracture.

The choice of material depends on factors such as the position of the missing tooth, the patient’s bite, aesthetic expectations, and the condition of the supporting teeth. The dental team will recommend a material that balances natural appearance with long-term function, and they will discuss how the selected material affects maintenance and potential adjustments over time.

Daily oral hygiene is essential to preserve the health of the abutment teeth and surrounding gums. Patients should brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and clean beneath and around the pontic using floss threaders, interdental brushes, or specialized floss designed for bridges to remove plaque and food debris. Maintaining healthy gums and preventing decay on abutment teeth are the most important factors in prolonging the life of a bridge.

Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings allow the team to monitor the condition of the bridge, detect early signs of wear or decay, and make adjustments if necessary. Managing contributing factors such as bruxism or a high-sugar diet can also reduce stress on the restoration, and your dentist can recommend protective measures like night guards if nighttime grinding is present.

While dental bridges are a reliable restoration, potential complications can include decay of the abutment teeth, gum inflammation, or loosening of the restoration if oral hygiene is inadequate. Bridges can also fracture or wear over time, especially in patients with heavy bite forces or parafunctional habits. Sensitivity or discomfort can occur after tooth preparation but typically subsides as the mouth adapts.

Early detection and intervention reduce the likelihood of serious problems, so prompt attention to symptoms such as looseness, persistent discomfort, or changes in bite is important. The dental team will outline preventive care and surveillance strategies to address risks and optimize long-term outcomes for your restoration.

The lifespan of a dental bridge varies based on the materials used, the health of the supporting teeth and gums, and a patient’s oral hygiene and bite forces. With proper care and regular professional maintenance, many bridges remain functional for a decade or longer, while individual results may vary. Signs that a bridge may need repair or replacement include persistent mobility, recurrent decay at the margins, changes in the bite, or noticeable gum recession around the abutments.

Routine examinations allow the dental team to evaluate the bridge and recommend timely interventions that can extend its service life. If you would like an individualized assessment or have concerns about an existing restoration, the team at Schulman Dental Studio, Franklin Lakes can evaluate your situation and discuss appropriate next steps to preserve oral health and function.