Dental Bridges in Holladay, UT

A bridge closes the space left by a missing tooth, using the teeth on either side to hold it, so you can chew and speak normally again.

Services→Restorative Dentistry→Dental Bridges in Holladay, UT

Losing a tooth changes small things you never thought about: which side you chew on, whether you cover your mouth when you laugh. A bridge is one straightforward way to get that back, and it works using healthy teeth you already have.

If you have multiple missing teeth, our dentist can offer dental bridges to close the gap and fill out your smile. Dr. David S. Cannon can custom fit the dental prosthetics to your gums and surrounding teeth so that you will not be able to tell where your natural tooth ends and the prosthetic begins. Call Pinnacle Dental at 801-274-3889 to schedule your dental bridge treatment in Holladay, Utah!

If you are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth in a row, we may recommend a dental bridge to restore your smile. A bridge is a fixed dental restoration, meaning it is nonremovable. The dental bridge is anchored in place through the use of two dental crowns, which are custom made to fit your smile and are placed on the teeth or dental implants next to the space left by the missing tooth. These crowns hold the artificial tooth in place to restore your smile, ensuring that your restoration will not easily shift or come loose. It typically requires only two visits to our practice to complete a dental bridge. Dental bridges are designed to last for many years and to restore the function, beauty and health of your smile.

Our dentist may recommend a dental bridge to improve your smile by:

Restoring your ability to speak, eat and chew normally
Alleviating excess stress on the bite
Improving the shape and volume of your face
Replacing an unwanted removable partial denture
Preventing the remaining natural teeth from moving out of position
Enhancing the appearance of your smile

We will help you determine whether a custom dental bridge is the right choice for restoring your smile after tooth loss. For more information, please call or visit us today.

Reasons people come in for this

A tooth came out or had to be pulled, and the space has been there a while
You only chew on one side now, and that side has started to ache
Food packs into the gap every time you eat
You have a removable partial and you are tired of taking something in and out
The teeth beside the space have begun to lean or drift
A missing tooth toward the front shows when you smile, and you have stopped smiling

What it does for you

You can bite and chew on both sides again
Nothing to take out at night or soak in a cup
Porcelain is shaded to match the teeth around it
Certain sounds come out clearly again
Food stops collecting in an empty space
Chewing pressure is spread across your mouth instead of one side

About Dental Bridges

The work happens across two appointments. At the first, the teeth on either side of the space are numbed and shaped, and we take an impression of your bite that goes to a dental laboratory. You leave that day wearing a temporary bridge so nothing is exposed while your real one is being made. At the second appointment the temporary comes off, we try the finished bridge in, adjust it until your bite feels even, and cement it.

Closes the gap from a lost tooth
Fixed in place, nothing to remove
Shaded to sit next to your teeth
Chew evenly on both sides again

Benefits of Dental Bridges

A gap does not politely stay a gap. Teeth lean toward open space over months and years, and the tooth above or below it can drift down into the room that opened up. Once that shifting has happened, straightening it out is a bigger job than filling the space would have been. Closing the gap keeps the rest of your bite where it belongs.

What to Expect

There is nothing dramatic about the first visit. You will be numb, and what you feel is pressure and vibration rather than sharpness; if you feel anything else, say so and Dr. Cannon will stop and add more anesthetic. Most people put in headphones and close their eyes. If English is not the language you think in, every person on our team speaks Spanish, so ask your questions in whichever one is easier.

Common Questions

Will getting a bridge hurt?

The teeth being shaped are numbed first, and Dr. Cannon checks that you are fully numb before he starts. You will feel pressure and hear the handpiece, but not sharpness. Afterward the gums around those two teeth can be tender for a day or so, and warm salt water rinses help.

How long does the whole process take?

Two appointments, usually two to three weeks apart while the laboratory builds your bridge. The first one is the longer of the two. You wear a temporary in between, and it looks and functions well enough that most people forget it is there.

How do I clean under a bridge?

You cannot floss between the replacement tooth and the gum the usual way, so we will show you how to use a floss threader or a small interdental brush to clean underneath. It takes an extra thirty seconds a day. Keeping that area clean is the single biggest thing you can do to make a bridge last.

Can I eat normally with it?

Once the final bridge is cemented, yes, though it is worth going gently with very hard or very sticky things. While you are in the temporary, avoid anything chewy like caramel or crusty bread on that side, because a temporary is meant to come off easily. If it does come loose, call us and we will re-cement it.

What does a bridge cost?

It depends on how many teeth are involved and what your plan covers, so we will not guess at a number here. We accept Cigna, MetLife, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Dental Select, Delta Dental and Deseret Mutual, and we will check your benefits and give you the figure in writing before anything is started. If you do not have insurance, ask about CareCredit or our in-office membership plan, which is 150 dollars to join and discounts most procedures by 20 to 35 percent.

Terms You May Hear

Abutment teeth: The two natural teeth on either side of the gap. They are shaped to take crowns, and those crowns are what hold the bridge in place.
Pontic: The replacement tooth in the middle of the bridge. It rests against the gum where your tooth used to be, but it is not attached to the gum or the bone.
Temporary bridge: A lightweight stand-in worn for the two or three weeks while the laboratory makes the real one. It protects the shaped teeth and keeps the space looking normal.

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

Call 801-274-3889 and we will tell you honestly whether a bridge suits your situation.