The Traditional Dental Bridge

Restoring Your Smile with Fixed Dental Bridges In Kitchener, ON

Rebuilding Function, Confidence and Harmony

Missing teeth affect more than just appearance, they can alter speech, limit chewing ability, and cause surrounding teeth to drift into empty spaces. Dental bridges provide a fixed, non-removable solution that restores both function and aesthetics by literally “bridging” the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

Unlike removable dentures, bridges are cemented permanently in place, offering superior comfort, stability, and bite function. The right type of bridge depends on the number and location of missing teeth, the health of adjacent teeth, and the bone structure supporting them.

Let’s explore the four main types of dental bridges, their unique advantages, and the situations in which each shines.

The Traditional Dental Bridge

The Traditional Bridge is the most common and time-tested design in restorative dentistry. It consists of one or more artificial teeth (called pontics) held in place by dental crowns that are permanently cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap — these are the abutment teeth.

Because the abutments must support the bridge, they are slightly reduced (or “prepped”) to accommodate the crowns.

Indications:

• Replacement of one or two adjacent missing teeth.
• When the neighboring teeth already need crowns due to decay, fracture, or large restorations.
• Patients seeking a non-surgical, fixed restoration.

Contraindications:

• Perfectly healthy, unrestored abutment teeth (since preparing them is irreversible).
• Multiple missing teeth in a row (excessive stress on the abutments).
• Poor bone support around abutment teeth.

History & Key Point:
Traditional bridges have been used for centuries, evolving from early gold and natural materials to modern porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) and all-ceramic options. Their main drawback remains the loss of natural enamel on otherwise healthy abutment teeth.

Fun Fact:
Archaeological findings show evidence of fixed partial dentures used by the Etruscans in 700 BC, making this one of the oldest restorative techniques known to humankind!

FAQ Highlights:

• Is it durable? Yes — typically 5 to 15 years, depending on oral hygiene and bite forces.
• Does it prevent bone loss? Unfortunately not. Since the root is not replaced, the underlying bone slowly resorbs over time.