Close the gap, restore your bite.

What is a dental bridge and how does it work?

A dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis that literally bridges the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. It consists of one or more false teeth, called pontics, held in place by crowns that are cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap. These supporting teeth are called abutment teeth. Once placed, a bridge functions and feels like your natural teeth — you eat, speak, and smile normally, and there is nothing to remove at night.

Bridges have been used successfully in dentistry for decades and remain a reliable, well-understood solution for tooth loss. At Smile Spot in Mawson Lakes, we use modern ceramic and zirconia materials that are both strong and aesthetically pleasing. The shade is carefully matched to your surrounding teeth so the restoration blends naturally with your smile.

Addressing a missing tooth promptly is important. When a tooth is lost, the neighbouring teeth tend to drift into the gap over time, the opposing tooth may over-erupt, and the bone in that area begins to resorb. A bridge maintains the spacing and alignment of your remaining teeth while restoring the function lost with the missing tooth.

The bridge treatment process at our Mawson Lakes clinic

Treatment typically takes place over two to three appointments. At the first appointment, we prepare the abutment teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel from their surfaces to make room for the crowns that will hold the bridge. This is done under local anaesthetic so the process is comfortable. We then take a detailed impression of your teeth, which is sent to a dental laboratory where your bridge is custom fabricated to precise specifications.

While your permanent bridge is being made, we fit you with a temporary bridge to protect the prepared teeth and maintain the appearance of your smile. This temporary is worn for one to two weeks during the laboratory stage.

At your fitting appointment, we remove the temporary bridge, try in the permanent restoration, and check the fit, shade, and bite carefully. Once everything looks and feels right, the bridge is permanently cemented into place. Minor adjustments to the bite can be made at a follow-up visit if needed.

Patients from Mawson Lakes, Salisbury, Para Hills, Ingle Farm, and Parafield can take advantage of our weekday evening appointments, which means the initial preparation appointment and the fitting can often be scheduled outside of work hours.

Bridge versus implant — understanding your options

A bridge and a dental implant are both fixed solutions for a missing tooth, and both have their advantages. A bridge can be completed in a few weeks and does not require surgery, but it does involve preparing the neighbouring teeth, which means removing some healthy tooth structure from those teeth to create the abutment crowns. For teeth that already have large fillings or existing crowns, this may be a reasonable trade-off. For otherwise intact healthy teeth, it is a factor worth considering.

A dental implant, by contrast, involves placing a titanium fixture into the jaw bone to serve as an artificial root, then attaching a crown to it after the bone has integrated around the implant. This process takes several months but preserves the neighbouring teeth entirely. Implants are also better at maintaining bone volume in the jaw, since the implant stimulates the bone in a way a bridge cannot.

There is no universally correct answer between the two. Your dentist at Smile Spot will assess your individual situation — including the health of the neighbouring teeth, the amount of bone available, your medical history, and your preferences — and will explain which options are suitable for you and why. We encourage questions and are happy to take the time needed to make sure you feel informed before making any decision.

Caring for your dental bridge

A bridge requires a slightly different cleaning routine to natural teeth because you cannot simply floss between the pontic and the adjacent crowns in the usual way. Plaque accumulates underneath the false tooth where it meets the gum, and this area needs to be cleaned daily. We recommend using a floss threader to pass dental floss under the bridge and along the gum, or an interdental brush or water flosser to clean the same area.

Beyond the specialised cleaning around the bridge itself, continue to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and attend regular check-ups and cleans at our Mawson Lakes practice. We will assess the margins of the bridge crowns at each visit to check for any signs of leakage or wear around the edges. Catching any issues early keeps options straightforward and avoids the need for more significant intervention down the track.