What Is a Dental Bridge and How Long Does It Last?

By Lovik Mirzaeian, DDS. Updated October 2026.

A dental bridge is a fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth that works by attaching a false tooth to crowns placed on the teeth on either side of the gap. It is cemented in, so it does not come out, and you chew with it like a normal tooth. Most bridges last ten to fifteen years, and some go well past twenty, but the lifespan depends heavily on how well the anchor teeth are cleaned and how healthy they were to begin with.

Bridges were the standard fix for a missing tooth for decades, and they still make sense for many people. Here is what they involve, how to care for one, and what usually goes wrong when they fail.

How a Bridge Is Built

The teeth next to the gap are called abutments. I shape each one down, the same way I would for a crown, to make room for a cap. Then I take an impression or a digital scan, and a lab makes a single connected piece: a crown for each abutment with a false tooth, called a pontic, suspended between them. Two or three weeks later I cement the finished bridge in place.

That is two visits for most bridges. You leave the first visit with a temporary bridge so there is no gap in between. Numbing is used for the shaping.

Types of Bridges

The traditional bridge I just described, with a crown on each side, is by far the most common. It is strong and predictable, and it works anywhere in the mouth as long as there are solid teeth on both sides.

A cantilever bridge anchors to a tooth on only one side. It is used when there is no tooth behind the gap, or when one neighbor is not suitable. It puts more leverage on the single anchor, so I use it sparingly and mostly for smaller teeth toward the front.

A Maryland bridge attaches a false front tooth using thin wings bonded to the backs of the neighboring teeth, with little or no shaping. It preserves the neighbors but comes loose more often and is not strong enough for back teeth. It is a reasonable option for a missing front tooth in a young patient who is not ready for an implant.

An implant-supported bridge uses implants instead of natural teeth as anchors. It is used when several teeth in a row are missing and there are not enough natural teeth to support a traditional bridge, and it does not require shaping any natural teeth at all.

How Long a Bridge Lasts

Ten to fifteen years is a fair expectation for a well-made traditional bridge on healthy abutments. I have patients with bridges that are twenty-five years old and still solid. I also see bridges fail at year six. The difference is almost always the condition of the anchor teeth and the cleaning underneath.

A bridge does not fail because the porcelain wears out. It fails because something happens to the teeth holding it up.

How Bridges Fail

The most common failure is decay on an abutment tooth, right at the edge where the crown meets the tooth near the gum. Plaque collects there and under the pontic. If it is not cleaned daily, decay works its way under the crown. By the time it hurts, the tooth may need a root canal or may be lost, which takes the whole bridge with it.

The second is a root canal problem in an abutment. Shaping a tooth for a crown stresses the nerve, and a small share of those nerves die over the following years. The tooth can often be treated through the bridge, but not always.

The third is a fracture of an abutment tooth. The anchor teeth carry the bite force of three teeth between two. Over time that extra load can crack a tooth, especially one that already had a large filling.

Less often, the cement washes out and the bridge comes loose on one side, or a piece of porcelain chips off. Those are usually repairable if caught early.

Caring for a Bridge

The single most important habit is cleaning under the pontic every day. Regular floss cannot get there because the bridge is one connected piece. You need a floss threader, a floss with a stiff end, a small interdental brush, or a water flosser to clean the space between the false tooth and the gum. Most bridge failures I see trace back to this step being skipped.

Brush normally, paying attention to the gumline around the abutment crowns. Keep up with regular cleanings, where the hygienist can reach areas you cannot and I can check the crown margins with a probe and periodic x-rays. If you grind, wear a nightguard. A bridge has no ligament to cushion it, so heavy grinding transfers force straight to the anchors.

Bridge or Implant?

This is the question behind most bridge consultations now. An implant does not touch the neighboring teeth, preserves bone in the gap, and can be cleaned like a normal tooth. A bridge is faster, avoids surgery, and can be a better choice when the neighboring teeth already need crowns anyway, in which case the bridge fixes three problems with one restoration.

I laid out the full comparison in dental implant vs bridge. If you are leaning toward an implant, our implants page explains the process. And if you are unsure whether the gap needs filling at all, what happens if you do not replace a missing back tooth covers what waiting costs you. The American Dental Association also has a brief, neutral summary of bridges.

When to See a Dentist

If you have a missing tooth and want to know whether a bridge is a good fit, book a routine exam so we can check the neighboring teeth and take x-rays. If you already have a bridge and notice it moving, a bad taste from under it, sensitivity in an anchor tooth, or a chip, do not wait for the next cleaning. Those are early signs, and early is when a bridge can usually be saved.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dental bridge last?

Most traditional bridges last ten to fifteen years, and well-cared-for ones can last twenty or more. The bridge itself rarely wears out; failure almost always comes from decay or fracture in the anchor teeth. Daily cleaning under the false tooth is the biggest factor in longevity.

How do you clean under a dental bridge?

Regular floss cannot pass between the connected teeth, so use a floss threader, a floss with a stiff end, a small interdental brush, or a water flosser to clean between the false tooth and the gum every day. Skipping this step is the most common reason bridges fail early.

Is a dental bridge better than an implant?

Neither is better in every case. An implant leaves the neighboring teeth untouched and preserves bone, while a bridge is faster, avoids surgery, and makes sense when the neighboring teeth already need crowns. Your dentist can weigh the condition of the neighbors, the bone in the gap, and your budget.

Does getting a bridge hurt?

The abutment teeth are numbed before shaping, so the procedure itself is not painful. Some sensitivity to cold and mild gum soreness for a week or two afterward is common. A temporary bridge protects the shaped teeth between the two visits.

Missing a Tooth? Dr. Mirzaeian Can Help

A bridge is one good option among several, and the right choice depends on the teeth next to the gap and what you want long term. Contact us to set up a consultation and we will go through the options honestly.

Lovik Mirzaeian, DDS has achieved extensive training in multidisciplinary dental treatments. His credentials include Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, Full Mouth Reconstruction, Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, and Sleep Sedation. Our office puts your comfort and smile first, and we are dedicated to giving you top-notch dental care. Get ready to show off your perfect smile!

Looking for a trusted family dentist in Clovis? Dr. Mirzaeian welcomes new patients of all ages.