About Dental Bridges
A bridge is used to cover the gap of a missing tooth and is usually connected by two or more crowns. If a single tooth is missing, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth will have caps (crowns), and the missing tooth will be replaced with a false tooth that is often made of various materials and referred to as a pontic. Together the pontic and crowns create a bridge to provide support for the missing tooth or teeth. There are 3 types of bridges: traditional, cantilever, and removable bridges offered at our office. The traditional bridge is one that is surrounded completely by crowns on either side. The cantilever is a bridge that is held in place by only one crown on its side, typically used for front teeth that require less support. Removable bridges are temporary fixes that are more cost-effective but require more hygiene and maintenance. During your exam at Emigh Dental Care, our dentists will be able to examine your condition and review the differences between the various bridges to determine which one is best for you. Call our Long Beach, CA practice today to schedule an exam for a dental bridge today.
What to Expect
Preparing and placing a dental bridge usually takes at least 2 appointments at our office. During the first visit, our dentists will prepare the abutment teeth by filing them down to make room for the dental crowns. After the teeth are prepared, our dentists will take impressions of the teeth, which will be sent to a dental laboratory where experts will create a bridge, including the pontic and surrounding crowns, for the abutment teeth. While the permanent bridge is being created, our dentists will place a temporary bridge over the patient's teeth for protection. Once the custom-made bridge is returned to our office, we will remove the temporary bridge and cement the permanent bridge into place. Our dentists will check and adjust the bridge to give patients the best fit, but they may need to return in a few weeks to have their fit and bite re-checked.
Treatment Aftercare
Dental bridges can last 5 – 15 years, or longer with proper home came and regular exams and cleanings by our office. Patients can keep their bridges and natural teeth healthy by brushing twice a day, flossing, and using an antiseptic mouthwash daily. Patients should make annual dental exams and bi-annual dental cleanings with our office to ensure the bridge is clean and in good condition.
Emigh Dental Care Reviews
The whole staff is exceptional! Tammy is a gem at cleaning teeth and Dr. Todd is highly skilled at all aspects of dentistry -- from root canals to cosmetics. I feel so fortunate to be a patient at Emigh!
Emigh Dental is the Best! Always professional… my hygienist is awesome 😊 Dr Pat and Dr Todd are always welcoming, caring and professional. The office staff is wonderful.
I’ve never had a bad experience at Emigh dental in 30+ years. They hire competent professionalsThat being said, I had Tami as my hygienist this visit in September 2026. She has been there for decades and is a cut above the rest. They don’t get any better than her!!
I consistently experience a sense of pleasure and anticipation when attending my dental appointments. The staff’s exceptional kindness and welcoming demeanor contribute to my positive experience. I highly recommend this dentist, as I have complete trust in their expertise and care.
Emigh is always a great experience! The dentists and staff are friendly, caring, and fun. I always trust I’m in good hands. I’ve had some serious work done: an extraction, an implant, root canals… I always know they’ll do a great job, I’ll be comfortable during the procedure, and leave feeling more confident.
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Fix Smile Gaps
If you avoid smiling to hide a gap in your teeth, call our office to schedule an exam and learn about dental bridges and if they are right for you. Our dentists can tell you if a dental bridge can improve the appearance of your smile and give you a healthier mouth.