A dental bridge is a false tooth, known as a "potic", which is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. Two crowns hold it in place and are attached onto the teeth on each side of the false tooth. This is known as a "fixed bridge." This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth.  Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth as you might do with removable partial dentures.

Your cosmetic dentist will prepare your teeth on either side of the space for the false tooth.  You will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the area, and the cosmetic dentist will remove an area of each abutment (teeth on either side of the space) to accommodate for the thickness of the crown.  When these teeth already have fillings, part of the filling may be left in place to help as a foundation for the crown.

The dentist will then make an impression which will serve as the model for the bridge, false tooth and crowns will be made by a dental laboratory.  A temporary bridge will be placed for you to wear while your bridge is being made until your next visit. This temporary bridge will serve to protect your teeth and gums.