Replace Missing Teeth With A Fixed Bridge
A missing tooth is not only a cosmetic problem, and this is the part most people underestimate. The gap changes how force travels through your bite, and the teeth around it begin to drift toward the empty space while the tooth above or below it starts to over-erupt.
A dental bridge closes the gap, restores your ability to chew evenly, and stops that drift before it becomes a much larger problem.
How A Dental Bridge Works
A bridge is a single fixed unit that spans the gap left by a missing tooth. The replacement tooth in the middle is called a pontic, and it is held in place by crowns cemented onto the healthy teeth on either side, which are called abutments.
Unlike a partial denture, a bridge is not removable. It stays in your mouth permanently and you care for it the way you care for natural teeth, with one addition covered further down.
With good home care, a bridge commonly lasts ten years or longer.
Types Of Bridges
There are several designs, and which one suits you depends on where the gap is and what the neighboring teeth look like.
Traditional bridge
The most common. Crowns on both sides of the gap supporting the replacement tooth between them. This requires reshaping those two teeth to accept crowns, which is worth knowing going in, though it is often the right call when those teeth already have large fillings or damage of their own.
Cantilever bridge
Supported from one side only, used when there is a healthy tooth on just one side of the gap. Less common, and generally reserved for areas that do not take heavy chewing force.
Maryland bridge
The replacement tooth is held by thin metal or porcelain wings bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth. Its main advantage is that it preserves those teeth almost entirely, since they do not need to be crowned. It is most often used for front teeth.
Implant-supported bridge
Instead of resting on natural teeth, the bridge is anchored to dental implants. This is the strongest option and it does not require touching the neighboring teeth at all. It is also the longest and most expensive path.
We will talk through which of these actually applies to your mouth rather than presenting all four as equally likely.
Bridge Or Implant?
This is the real decision most patients are weighing, and it deserves a straight answer rather than a pitch.
A bridge is often the better choice when the teeth on either side of the gap already need crowns anyway, when you want the gap closed in a matter of weeks rather than months, when your jawbone will not support an implant without grafting, or when cost is a deciding factor.
An implant is often the better choice when the neighboring teeth are healthy and untouched, since a bridge means reshaping them permanently. Implants also preserve the bone underneath the missing tooth, which a bridge does not, and they are cleaned like a normal tooth.
Where honesty matters most: if the teeth beside your gap are pristine, we will tell you that a bridge means grinding down two healthy teeth to replace one missing one. That is a real tradeoff. Some patients weigh it and still choose the bridge for good reasons. We would rather you make that choice knowing what it involves.
Dr. Bryant King provides written prices on every reasonable option before treatment begins, and our staff are not paid on commission, so there is nobody here with a reason to push you toward the more expensive plan.
What The Process Involves
Your first visit is an exam and digital x-rays to check the health of the supporting teeth and the bone underneath the gap. If a supporting tooth has deep decay, it may need root canal treatment before it can carry a bridge.
We then prepare the abutment teeth and take a digital scan. Our office uses scanning technology for most cases, which means we can usually skip the impression material you may remember from years ago. We also design, mill, and color most of our crowns here in the office rather than sending everything out, which gives us direct control over fit and shade.
You will wear a temporary bridge while the permanent one is completed, then return to have it fitted, adjusted for your bite, and cemented into place.
Caring For Your Bridge
Brushing and flossing as normal handles most of it. The one addition is cleaning underneath the pontic, since floss cannot pass between the replacement tooth and the teeth beside it the way it does between natural teeth.
A floss threader, superfloss, or a water irrigator solves this, and we will show you the approach that works for your bridge. This matters more than it sounds. Plaque accumulating under a bridge causes gum inflammation, bad breath, and decay at the margins where the crowns meet your natural teeth, and decay under a crown is difficult to detect on x-rays until it is well advanced.
If you are missing a tooth and want to know what your options actually are, contact our office. We are at 6900 Daniels Parkway, Suite 30, minutes from the I-75 interchange at Daniels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a dental bridge last?
Ten years or longer is typical with good home care. The bridge itself rarely fails on its own. What usually ends its life is decay or gum disease affecting the supporting teeth underneath, which makes cleaning under the pontic and keeping up with regular cleanings genuinely important.
Does getting a bridge hurt?
The preparation appointment is done under local anesthetic and should be comfortable. Some sensitivity in the prepared teeth afterward is normal and settles down. If dental work makes you anxious, tell us and we can discuss oral sedation.
How many teeth can a bridge replace?
Will the bridge look natural?
What if I just leave the gap?
Does insurance cover dental bridges?
Can a bridge be repaired if something goes wrong?
Kind Words From Recent Patients
Daniels Parkway Dental
6900 Daniels Parkway #30, Fort Myers
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This is a fantastic dental office. The staff and Doctors are top notch and punctual. They take the time to answer questions and always make me feel comfortable.
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Just had my first filling in 51 yrs Dr Shelly King explained the procedure & did an excellent job.hopefully i wouldnt have a cavity for another 51yrs.highly recommend them not a franchise. Non commission based employees.
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I was referred to Dr Shelly and her dental assistant Amanda by my daughter in law who is very pleased with their caring professional dental care. I am also very pleased as well. The receptionists are pleasant and professional. This is truly … More a family business who treats their patients just exactly like that. Thank you Dr Shelly and Team! Shirley Pine
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Dr. Bryant King is a very caring, detailed dentist. He has a wonderful bedside manner and explains everything and gives options for patients to consider. He is also very willing to give prices & estimates for any & all options so … More that the patient can make an intelligent decision as to what is best for the patient. I highly recommend Dr. Bryant. The staff are also very efficient and personable. Madeleine Dougherty, patient
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Dr. Shelly & Dr. Bryant King(s) have been my dentists for over twenty years. The doctors and staff have consistently provided professional, friendly and quality work for every visit. Their office is extremely clean and everyone's … More attention to detail, from cleanings to insurance to all things dental keeps me coming back and referring them again and again. Dr. Shelly has a jiggle technique that will make any dentaphobe at ease. I feel very fortunate to have found these wonderful people who make me feel so taking care of.
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As a new patient, I have been very impressed with being able to get an appointment easily, and happy with the efficiency and pleasant atmosphere, and mostly happy with my “new” tooth.
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Let me start by saying the BEST EXPERIENCE EVER! Two different appointments, xrays and filling. NO CHARGE. The Doctor was so kind and did not hurt at all. Things that he told me that I wish others would have been as honest and forthcoming … More as he. Wonderful staff. I would highly recommend this Dentist. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!
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This is by far the BEST visit ever to a dentist office. They were so nice, explained the procedure throughly so there were no surprises. Starting with my phone call to their office and up until I left everyone made the experience amazing. … More If your looking for a dentist this is the office to call... Happy teeth work
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Daniels Dental and Dr. Bryant King provided a great experience when I had a crown fall out. Getting an appointment was prompt, the staff was friendly, very helpful and efficient. Dr. King and the Technician were knowledgeable, friendly, … More efficient, skilled and gentle. Best dental experience I’ve had.
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Hands down Daniels Parkway Dental gets 5⭐️! The staff is friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and provides some of the best bedside manner I’ve ever experienced. Dr. Shelly, Dee, Amanda and staff went above and beyond to ensure that I wasn’t … More in any pain during my dental procedure and communicated with me what they were doing the entire time.
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The dentist is amazing having professional attitude and always giving care necessary for appropriate needs. The staff are professional as well as friendly, kind and gentle. Positive vibes from all in this dental office! 👍
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I cannot begin to express how WONDERFUL my experience is Every time i need to go to the DDS. Daniels Parkway Dental is the best. They have brought back good ole fashion bedside manner. Everyone in that office gets a 5 ⭐️ review. From the … More moment you check in to the moment they finish the dental procedure. Dr Shelly and Dr King are constantly checking on you throughout the process and explain in detail everything they are doing and making sure you are not feeling any discomfort. This also includes their FABULOUS DENTAL HYGIENIST “Keely” (the best, bar none!!!!)
Fort Myers is LUCKY, EXTREMELY LUCKY to have them in our area (even though if they were farther i would still go to them) I also want to give the Dental Assistant recognition for how extremely well she worked with Dr Shelly they were a perfect team.
So in conclusion if you are looking for a Dental Office and want great work done LOOK NO FURTHER!!!! Than Daniels Parkway Dental Office!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely
Alex Gonzalo. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 -
Dr. Shelly King was wonderful. The best experience. Very caring and explained everything. Absolutely no pain or anxiety. I would highly recommend. The office staff was great too!
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Great dentist office. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The dentist isn't quick to jump to fillings for children with tiny cavities that could heal or cavities in a baby tooth that's coming out soon. The hygienist … More we see if very respectful of the decisions we make regarding fluoride. They are a wonderful family own practice and Dr. Bryant and Dr. Shelley are so great with our family.
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Had an urgent need for an appointment (my porcelain crown fell out over holiday weekend). Being fairly new to the area and not having a regular dentist, I took a chance & stopped into Daniels Parkway Dental to see if I could get an … More appointment in the next few days. To my surprise they had an opening later that day. First let me say I was so impressed when I walked in to a beautiful bright well appointed clean office and warmly greeted by the friendly knowledgeable staff. Went ahead and took my insurance info (which they are filing for me so I can be reimbursed) and did all the paperwork. I say this because my time in the waiting area I noticed the pleased patients checking out and others coming in. Coming from up north who had a very modern excellent local dentist, Daniel Parkway Dental reminded me of what was left behind. And confirmed by the excellent medical care by Dr Shelly King. Both her & her assistant were gentle yet professional. In a layman’s eyes like myself I thought “just glue it back”, I’m so glad I didn’t try a do it yourself nor go to one of those “doc in a box” popping up on every corner. It was a very intricate procedure taking time to make sure the bites correct. Someone without much experience could have broken the tiny pins my old dentist had made. Or would have easily said I need a new one meaning lots of $$$$$. It was divine steering which brought me to Daniel Parkway Dental. A local family dentistry who’s been around for 20 years and not going anywhere. This evening I was able to enjoy my food and would never know it had fallen out few days ago. I’m so glad I’ve found a dental practice I can trust & look forward to going back for routine care for myself & my husband.
Thank you again Dr Shelly King & staff🤗
Contact Our Office
For immediate assistance or scheduling please contact our office directly at (239) 337-5464. All online inquiries are responded to within 24 hours.