Proudly serving patients from Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, West Palm Beach, and Lake Worth.
Close the gap and get your bite back
When you lose a tooth, the teeth on either side of the space start to drift and tip into it, and the tooth above or below begins to over-erupt. Within a couple of years a single gap can change how your whole bite meets. A dental bridge stops that: a replacement tooth (the pontic) is fused between two crowns that fit over the healthy teeth on either side, and the whole unit is cemented permanently in place. It's fixed, so you clean it in your mouth and it never comes out.
Types of bridge we place
- Traditional bridge. The most common — crowns on both neighbouring teeth support the replacement in between.
- Cantilever bridge. Anchored on one side only, used when there's a healthy tooth on just one edge of the gap.
- Maryland (resin-bonded) bridge. A conservative option for front teeth that bonds wings to the back of the neighbouring teeth instead of crowning them.
- Implant-supported bridge. Anchored on dental implants rather than natural teeth — the right call when several teeth in a row are missing.
What to expect
- Visit 1 — Prep & impression. The supporting teeth are numbed and shaped for crowns, we take a digital impression, and you leave wearing a temporary bridge.
- In between. Your permanent bridge is built and shade-matched, usually in about two weeks.
- Visit 2 — Fit & cement. We check the fit, the shade, and the way it meets your opposing teeth, then cement it. We'll also show you how to clean underneath it.
Bridge or implant?
Both replace a missing tooth well, and the right answer depends on your mouth, not on a rule. A bridge is usually faster and costs less up front, and it makes sense when the neighbouring teeth already need crowns anyway. An implant leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched and preserves the jawbone under the gap, which a bridge does not. If several teeth in a row are gone, implant-supported dentures or an implant bridge may be the better long-term value. We lay out all the options with written pricing and let you decide — no pressure toward the expensive one.
Why patients choose us for bridges
- Fixed and cemented — nothing to take out, nothing to slip while you eat or talk.
- Shade-matched so the replacement tooth blends with what's already there.
- Honest bridge-versus-implant comparison with both prices in writing before you commit.
- Hygiene coaching for cleaning under the bridge — the single biggest factor in how long it lasts.
- 22+ years of restorative dentistry in Palm Beach County, all under one roof.
Related treatments
A bridge is built from dental crowns, so it's worth reading how those work. For a single missing tooth, compare a dental implant. If several teeth are missing, look at partial dentures or implant dentures. If a tooth still needs to come out first, see tooth extractions. You can also return to the homepage.
Bridge FAQs
Dental bridge questions, answered
How much does a dental bridge cost in Royal Palm Beach?
The cost of a bridge depends on how many teeth it spans and the material used, so we quote it after examining you rather than guessing from a range. A three-unit bridge covers the replacement tooth plus the two crowns that anchor it. Most dental plans cover roughly half, and we verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before treatment begins.
What is the difference between a dental bridge and an implant?
A bridge fills the gap by anchoring a replacement tooth to crowns on the two neighbouring teeth, which means those teeth have to be shaped down. An implant is a titanium post placed in the jaw and doesn't involve the neighbouring teeth at all, and it preserves the bone underneath. A bridge is usually faster and less expensive up front, while an implant tends to last longer. We review both at your consultation.
How long does a dental bridge last?
Most dental bridges last 10 to 15 years, and many last longer. The main thing that shortens a bridge's life is decay in the supporting teeth underneath, so cleaning under the bridge daily with a floss threader or water flosser makes a real difference.
How many visits does a dental bridge take?
Two visits in most cases. At the first, the supporting teeth are prepared and we take an impression and fit a temporary bridge. About two weeks later the permanent bridge is checked, adjusted, and cemented. You're not without teeth at any point.
Is it hard to eat with a dental bridge?
No. Unlike a removable partial denture, a fixed bridge is cemented in place and stays put, so it feels close to natural teeth. Most patients eat normally within a day or two and stop noticing it entirely after the first week.
Does insurance cover dental bridges?
Most dental plans treat a bridge as a major restorative service and cover about 50 percent after the deductible, subject to your annual maximum and any waiting period. We check your exact benefits before treatment and offer in-house financing for the remaining balance.