A bridge consists of two crowns and an artificial tooth between them. The artificial tooth is called a pontic and will take the place of your missing tooth.

Your dentist will prepare your teeth that are adjacent to the missing tooth by grinding them down so that the crowns can be cemented in place. Once your adjacent teeth are properly prepared, your dentist will take a mold of your teeth and forward it to a dental laboratory. A lab technician will then build a custom bridge to match your teeth shape.

While the lab tech creates your permanent bridge, your dentist will install a temporary bridge. When your custom bridge is finished, you will need to return to your dentist and have it installed.

Bridges can last 15-20 years if you take proper care of your teeth and visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleaning.