1933 Franciscan Way, West Chicago, IL 60185
At the office of West Chicago Smiles, our team helps patients restore missing teeth with durable, natural-looking solutions that preserve oral health and confidence. Missing teeth can disrupt how you eat, speak, and how your smile looks — and they often create long-term risks if left unaddressed. This page explains how bridges work, the different designs commonly used, what to expect from treatment, and how we plan care around each patient's needs.
Losing a tooth doesn't just leave a visible gap — it alters the balance of forces in your mouth. Neighboring teeth can slowly tilt or drift toward the empty space, changing your bite and making some teeth work harder than others. Over time these shifts can create uneven wear, increase the risk of fracture, and make oral hygiene more difficult.
When a tooth is absent, the tooth in the opposing arch no longer meets resistance and may begin to over-erupt, further destabilizing your bite. Bone in the area of the missing root also begins to remodel and resorb without the stimulation provided by chewing, which can change facial contours and reduce options for future restorations.
Addressing a missing tooth early helps preserve the surrounding structures and prevents complications that are harder to treat later. A well-designed restorative plan — including bridges when appropriate — restores function while protecting neighboring teeth and the supporting bone.
Contemporary restorative dentistry offers several predictable paths to replace missing teeth, ranging from conservative solutions to more comprehensive reconstructions. The right choice depends on factors such as the health of adjacent teeth, jawbone condition, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle needs. We focus on solutions that balance appearance, longevity, and ease of care.
Fixed restorations like bridges provide a stable, long-term option that feels and functions much like natural teeth. Advances in dental materials and lab techniques mean today’s bridges can be very lifelike in color and translucency while remaining durable under normal chewing forces.
For patients who prefer to preserve natural tooth structure, minimally invasive options and implant-supported restorations can be discussed. Each treatment plan begins with a careful evaluation so your final result supports long-term oral health as well as an attractive smile.
A dental bridge replaces missing teeth by spanning the gap with one or more artificial teeth (pontics) supported by adjacent abutments. Traditional designs attach the pontics to crowns placed on neighboring teeth; implant-supported bridges use dental implants as anchors instead of relying on natural teeth for support.
Bridges restore chewing efficiency, help maintain proper tooth alignment, and rebuild the visual continuity of the smile. Because they are fixed in place, they offer a secure alternative to removable partial dentures and are typically easier to live with day-to-day.
The success of a bridge depends on careful planning, precise laboratory work, and good oral hygiene. Properly designed restorations distribute biting forces evenly and are integrated into a broader plan of preventive care to protect the long-term health of the mouth.
Several bridge designs are available to meet different clinical needs. Traditional fixed bridges use crowns on teeth adjacent to the gap to support one or more pontics and are a common choice when those neighboring teeth already need crowns or are strong enough to serve as supports.
Implant-supported bridges attach to dental implants and avoid altering adjacent natural teeth. They are often the best choice when multiple teeth are missing in a row or when preserving the integrity of neighboring teeth is a priority. Because implants act like tooth roots, they also help maintain bone volume.
Other designs, such as cantilever bridges or resin-bonded (Maryland-style) bridges, can be appropriate in select situations where minimal tooth preparation or limited support is required. Your dentist will review the clinical advantages and limitations of each option and recommend the design that best meets your functional and aesthetic goals.
Successful bridge treatment starts with a thorough evaluation. We review gum health, the condition of potential abutment teeth, jawbone levels, and overall oral hygiene. Any active disease — such as periodontal infection or untreated decay — must be addressed before restorative work begins to ensure a stable foundation for the bridge.
In cases where adjacent teeth are not strong enough to support a fixed bridge, or where bone volume is insufficient for implants, additional procedures like root canal therapy, periodontal treatment, or bone grafting may be recommended. These preparatory steps improve predictability and long-term success.
We tailor the sequence of care to each patient, discussing expected timelines, comfort measures, and interim restorations when needed. Clear communication during planning helps patients understand the value of each step and how it contributes to a durable, comfortable outcome.
A traditional bridge typically requires two or more visits. The first visit usually involves preparing the abutment teeth by reshaping them to receive crowns, followed by impressions or digital scans that capture precise details for the laboratory. A temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth while the final restoration is fabricated.
Temporary restorations provide a preview of the bridge’s shape and help maintain function, but they are not as strong as the permanent restoration. Patients are advised to avoid sticky or very hard foods and to take extra care with flossing around the temporary while healing and adjustments take place.
At the placement visit, the permanent bridge is tried in, checked for fit, color, and bite, and then cemented when everything is satisfactory. Your dentist will give guidance on caring for the new restoration and schedule follow-up visits to confirm comfort and function.
Implant-supported bridges begin with the surgical placement of titanium implants into the jawbone. After a healing period that allows the implants to integrate with bone, the implant abutments are attached and the bridge is fabricated to connect securely to those abutments. This approach eliminates the need to modify neighboring healthy teeth.
The timeline for implant-supported work is typically longer because of the healing and integration phases, but the long-term benefits often include stronger support, preservation of bone, and very natural function. In some situations, temporary restorations can be provided during healing to maintain appearance and chewing ability.
We use detailed imaging and digital planning to position implants precisely and to design bridges that align with each patient’s bite and aesthetics. Our goal is to deliver a restoration that feels stable, looks natural, and supports oral health for years to come.
At West Chicago Smiles, we focus on individualized treatment planning and predictable restorative results. If you’re considering a bridge or want to explore all tooth-replacement options, please contact us for more information and to schedule an evaluation. We’ll help you choose a solution that fits your needs and restores both function and confidence.
Your new bridge is customized to the exact specifications of your smile. Before cementing to the underlying teeth or affixing it to the supporting implants, the shade, occlusion, and all aspects of its fit get carefully checked. In addition to being designed to blend seamlessly with your smile, it's also made to suit your bite and withstand all manner of oral function. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and that your bite feels comfortable.
Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge is a worthwhile investment in the look, health, and function of your smile. While many dental insurances offer coverage for a dental bridge, and some toward the cost of implants, the benefits and amounts can vary significantly from plan to plan. At the office of West Chicago Smiles, we understand the financial considerations involved in care and do all we can to help patients begin treatment without any additional stress or delay. In addition to doing our best to optimize your dental benefits, we also offer several payment and financing options. Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions on the cost of care, dental insurances, financing plans, or acceptable forms of payment.
Now that your new permanent crown or bridge is in place, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene. With proper care, your new restorations will last for years to come. Make sure to brush and floss as instructed. We'll show you how to floss under your dental bridge to keep your new smile clean and bright. Remember to make appointments for your routine checkups and professional cleanings.
The standard answer is that with routine dental visits and good home care, a bridge can last ten to fifteen years, and in many cases, much longer.
At the office of West Chicago Smiles, we fabricate your bridge from the highest quality dental materials to achieve the most cosmetically pleasing and lifelike results of care. It's also customized to the exact specifications of your smile and designed for optimal aesthetics, strength, and stability. Once fabricated and cemented into place, you'll feel confident sharing your smile, speaking, and eating your favorite foods.
As your trusted partner in care, we analyze every aspect of your smile to develop a treatment plan that provides aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and long-lasting results of care.
For more information on dental bridges, or any services we provide, give us a call today.
