What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge fills the space left by one or more missing teeth using an artificial tooth (or teeth) fused to adjacent abutment teeth or implants. The bridge itself is permanently fixed in place, unlike removable dentures, and restores both function and appearance across the gap.

Three main types exist. A traditional bridge bonds to natural teeth on both sides of the gap, making it the most common design when healthy teeth bracket the missing tooth space. A cantilever bridge anchors to only one side, useful when a tooth is missing at the end of a row or when only one adjacent tooth is available. A Maryland bridge uses a resin-bonded framework attached to the back of adjacent teeth, requiring minimal tooth preparation and favored when the abutment teeth are already in good condition.

A bridge stops your remaining teeth from shifting into the empty space, maintains your bite alignment, and prevents jaw problems that stem from uneven chewing pressure. Clinics across Ghana offer bridge work as part of fixed prosthodontics, often recommending them when patients prefer a stationary solution or when implant placement is not an option. Proper maintenance-regular brushing, flossing under and around the pontic (artificial tooth), and routine checkups-extends the lifespan of a bridge significantly. Dental clinics can assess whether a bridge or an implant-supported restoration suits your specific tooth loss situation.