A missing tooth creates consequences that extend well beyond the visible gap in your smile.
The neighboring teeth begin drifting toward the empty space, the opposing tooth loses its biting partner and over-erupts, bite forces redistribute unevenly, and the jawbone beneath the gap begins losing density without a root to stimulate it. At 207 Dental in Auburn, ME, dental bridges are one of several honest tooth replacement options our team presents to patients managing tooth loss — a fixed, natural-looking solution that restores chewing function, maintains proper spacing, and completes the smile without the complexity of implant surgery when a bridge is genuinely the most appropriate choice for the patient’s situation.
How Bridges Fill The Gap Left By Missing Teeth
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a custom-fabricated prosthetic tooth or teeth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. The adjacent teeth, called abutment teeth, are prepared and fitted with crowns that serve as anchors for the bridge, supporting the artificial tooth that spans the space. The completed bridge is permanently cemented in place, producing a fixed, non-removable restoration that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth without removal, adhesives, or any special maintenance beyond consistent daily oral hygiene.
Types Of Dental Bridges Available
At 207 Dental, the bridge design recommended for each patient is based on the specific clinical situation, the health of the surrounding teeth, and the location of the missing tooth:
- Traditional bridges are the most common design, anchoring the pontic to crowns placed on the natural teeth on either side of the gap. They are reliable, time-tested, and appropriate for most single or multiple tooth replacement situations where adjacent teeth are healthy enough to serve as abutments
- Implant-supported bridges replace multiple missing teeth using dental implants as anchors rather than natural teeth, preserving adjacent healthy tooth structure entirely and providing the bone-stimulating benefit that conventional bridges cannot offer
- Cantilever bridges are used in specific situations where only one adjacent tooth is available for support, and are recommended selectively based on the clinical demands of the individual case
Every option is presented honestly, including the trade-offs of each approach and where a dental implant may represent a better long-term investment for the patient’s specific situation.
Preventing Teeth Shifting With A Bridge
Replacing a missing tooth promptly is one of the most important things a patient can do to prevent the cascade of secondary problems that tooth loss sets in motion. A well-placed bridge maintains the correct spacing of the surrounding teeth, prevents the over-eruption of the opposing tooth, preserves bite alignment, and restores the chewing function that distributes forces evenly across the arch. At 207 Dental, every tooth replacement conversation includes an honest explanation of what happens when a missing tooth goes unreplaced — because informed patients consistently make better decisions for their long-term oral health.
Maintaining Your Dental Bridge
With proper care, a well-placed bridge can last ten to fifteen years or significantly longer. Daily maintenance requires particular attention to cleaning beneath the pontic, where plaque and food debris accumulate against the gum tissue:
- Use a floss threader, interdental brush, or water flosser daily to clean beneath the pontic and along the gum tissue beneath it
- Brush twice daily, covering all surfaces of the bridge, including the crowns on either side
- Attend regular professional cleanings so our team can thoroughly clean beneath the bridge and monitor the health of the abutment teeth over time
Call our office or book your appointment online at 207 Dental in Auburn, ME today.