Dental Bridge

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a custom-made false tooth (or teeth) that fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth. More than just cosmetic, a bridge protects your oral health: when you have a gap, the surrounding teeth can shift into that space, changing your bite and potentially causing pain or difficulty chewing.

A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors. We place porcelain crowns over those neighboring teeth, and the replacement tooth—called a pontic—is fused between them. The result is a natural-looking, functional restoration that blends seamlessly with your smile.

Types of Dental Bridges We Offer

We'll recommend the best type of bridge based on the location of the missing tooth and the health of your surrounding teeth:

Traditional Fixed Bridge
The most common option. Porcelain crowns are placed over the two teeth on either side of the gap, and the false tooth (usually porcelain fused to metal or all-ceramic) is securely held between them. Ideal for most situations where you have healthy teeth on both sides.

Cantilever Bridge
Used when teeth are present on only one side of the gap. Because it's anchored on just one side, we typically recommend cantilever bridges for areas that don't bear heavy chewing forces—like your front teeth.

Resin-Bonded Bridge
A more conservative option, often used for front teeth. Metal bands are bonded to the back of the surrounding teeth with resin, holding a plastic or porcelain pontic in place. This approach preserves more of your natural tooth structure.

What to Expect: The Bridge Process

Getting a dental bridge usually takes two visits to our West New York office.

First Visit:
We prepare the anchor teeth by gently reshaping them so the crowns will fit comfortably over them. Then we take a detailed impression of your teeth, which we send to a trusted dental lab to craft your custom bridge. Before you leave, we'll fit you with a temporary bridge to protect your teeth and keep you smiling while your permanent bridge is being made.

Second Visit:
We remove the temporary bridge and place your new, custom bridge. We'll check the fit carefully and make any needed adjustments so it feels comfortable and functions naturally. Occasionally, a follow-up visit is needed to fine-tune the fit.

Why Choose Hudson Dental Center for Your Bridge?

We've been serving families in West New York for years, and we understand that replacing a missing tooth can feel overwhelming. Our team takes the time to explain every step, answer your questions, and make sure you're comfortable throughout the process. We use high-quality materials and work with skilled labs to create bridges that look natural and last.