Dental Bridge Options Explained

In this video, Dr. Karen Becerra-Penagos explains the choices patients have for replacing one missing tooth, and how the right option protects both function and healthy natural teeth.

When a patient needs a dental bridge, it is usually because they are missing a single tooth. That missing tooth typically sits between two natural teeth. In a traditional bridge, we reshape the teeth on either side of the gap and use them to support a replacement tooth, called a pontic. Together, this creates a fixed prosthesis that fills the space.

Today, there are alternatives to this approach. In many cases, we can replace the missing tooth with a dental implant instead. This allows us to fill the gap without reshaping the neighboring teeth, which is often a preferred option.

However, an implant is not always possible due to bone levels, medical factors, or other limitations. In those situations, a traditional dental bridge remains a reliable and effective solution. Having both options allows us to choose the best approach for each individual patient.

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