Dental Bridge
A bridge is a treatment that shaves down the teeth on either side of a missing tooth to serve as anchors (abutment teeth), then fills the gap with a connected restoration, like building a bridge. It was the standard for replacing missing teeth before implants became common, and it's still a valid option under the right conditions.
The biggest cost isn't money — it's the teeth on either side
The real cost of a bridge is that healthy teeth on either side have to be shaved down enough to be crowned. It's also one connected unit of three teeth, so if one anchor tooth develops a problem, the whole thing has to be remade, and floss can't reach under the connector, so special floss is needed. On the other hand, it's finished quickly without surgery, and if the teeth on either side already need crowns anyway, a bridge can actually be the reasonable choice.
Choosing between a bridge and an implant
If the teeth on either side are intact, we first consider an implant, which doesn't require shaving them down; if those teeth already need crowns anyway, or surgery isn't feasible, a bridge becomes a candidate. There's no single right answer — the condition of the remaining teeth is what decides it.
Dr. Jongbum Lee's approach — since this means shaving down the teeth on either side, we explain the pros and cons alongside the option of not shaving them before deciding.
Q. How long does a bridge last?
A. It depends on how well the anchor teeth are protected from gum disease and cavities. Hygiene under the connector matters more to its lifespan than the bridge itself, so learning to use special floss and keeping up with regular check-ups is what matters most.
Minish