Skip to content When a tooth is missing between two crowns, the gap can be filled with a dental bridge. A bridge is a single set of two crowns with a tooth connected between them. The two outside crowns are set over teeth on either side, anchoring the bridge and holding the center tooth in place. The result is three permanent, functioning teeth with no gaps between them.
If you have missing teeth, either in back where you chew, or in front where you smile, ask the experts at Harris Dental how they can fill those gaps with a custom dental bridge. We offer a wide range of options for missing teeth at our practice in Phoenix and are happy to discuss them all with you.
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that fills the space left by one or more missing teeth. It consists of one or more artificial teeth, called pontics, held in place by crowns cemented onto the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Those supporting teeth, called abutments, anchor the bridge securely so it functions like your natural teeth.
Unlike removable partial dentures, a dental bridge is permanently bonded in place. You brush and floss it as part of your normal routine, and it stays put. Most patients adapt quickly and stop noticing it altogether within a few weeks.
At Harris Dental in Phoenix, our dental bridges are custom-crafted from high-quality porcelain designed to match the colors, shapes, and proportions of your surrounding teeth. The end result is a natural-looking tooth bridge that integrates seamlessly with your smile.
Our dental bridges have a number of benefits for those with missing teeth :
A custom porcelain dental bridge is designed to blend in with your surrounding teeth. Our team matches the color, shape, and contour of each bridge to your natural smile, so the restoration looks like it was always there. Most patients find that friends and family never notice anything was replaced at all.
Every dental bridge at Harris Dental is made specifically for you. We take detailed impressions to ensure your bridge fits precisely, bites correctly, and feels comfortable from day one. A properly fitted tooth bridge doesn't just look better — it protects the health of your surrounding teeth and gums for the long term.
Replacing a missing tooth with a dental bridge does more than fill a gap. Without a replacement, neighboring teeth drift toward the open space and opposing teeth shift out of alignment, leading to bite problems, uneven wear, and increased risk of decay in hard-to-clean areas. A fixed dental bridge stops that process and keeps the rest of your mouth stable.
If you choose to have a dental bridge from Harris Dental in Phoenix, our team will make sure that your bridge is made to fit your mouth. Our team are skilled in dental bridge installation and will do their best to make you comfortable and relaxed during this dental procedure. If you experience discomfort or dental anxiety, we have sedation options available.
A dental implant replaces the tooth root with a titanium post, making it a standalone restoration that doesn’t rely on neighboring teeth for support. Implants are generally considered the gold standard for single-tooth replacement because they also stimulate the jawbone and don’t require any modification to adjacent teeth.
A dental bridge is often the preferred option when the neighboring teeth already need crowns, when the patient prefers to avoid surgery, or when time is a factor. Bridges can typically be completed in fewer visits and don’t require the healing period that implant placement involves.
At your consultation, our team will review your bone health, the condition of your surrounding teeth, and your goals, and give you a clear recommendation on which direction makes the most sense for your mouth.
For many patients, we can design, fabricate, and place your dental bridge in a single visit using our CEREC same-day technology. No temporary bridge, no waiting on an outside lab, no second appointment. You come in with a gap and leave with a finished, permanent restoration the same day.
For cases that require a traditional two-visit approach, the process is straightforward. At your first appointment, we prepare the abutment teeth on either side of the gap and take detailed impressions. A temporary bridge is placed while your permanent restoration is fabricated. At your second visit, the temporary is removed, your permanent bridge is fitted, adjusted, and bonded into place.
Either way, our doctors take the cosmetic side of every bridge seriously. Harris Dental has been recognized among Phoenix’s top cosmetic dentists for decades, and that attention to color, contour, and proportion carries into every restoration we place. Your bridge will be matched carefully to your surrounding teeth so the result looks natural.
We also offer sedation for patients who want to feel more comfortable during the procedure, including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation under DOCS-certified protocols.
Patient received dental bridges and porcelain veneers
Patient replaced their removable teeth with permanent dental bridges
Harris Dental has been serving the Phoenix area for over 40 years. Our doctors have been recognized among the city’s top cosmetic and restorative dentists, and we bring that same attention to detail to every bridge we place. If you have a missing tooth and want to know whether a dental bridge is the right solution, we’re ready to help you figure that out.
Call us or request an appointment online. We see patients from across the Phoenix area and look forward to helping you get your smile back.
With proper care, a dental bridge can last 10 to 15 years or longer. The longevity depends on the materials used, the health of the supporting teeth, and how well you maintain your oral hygiene. Regular checkups and cleanings help extend the life of your bridge significantly.
The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel discomfort during the appointment. Some mild sensitivity around the prepared teeth is normal for a few days afterward and typically resolves on its own. We also offer sedation options for patients who prefer a more relaxed experience.
Brush your bridge as you would your natural teeth. Flossing requires a floss threader or interdental brush to clean beneath the pontic, which is the artificial tooth spanning the gap. We’ll walk you through the technique at your appointment. Beyond that, regular checkups keep the supporting teeth and surrounding gums healthy.
Yes. A dental bridge can span a gap of one, two, or in some cases three consecutive missing teeth. The number of pontics and the design of the bridge will depend on the size of the gap and the strength of the supporting teeth on either side.
A dental bridge is fixed, meaning it’s cemented in place and not removable like a partial denture. It’s not considered permanent in the way an implant is, since it will eventually need to be replaced, but it’s a long-lasting, stable restoration that functions like natural teeth.
The cost depends on the number of teeth being replaced, the materials used, and your specific treatment needs. We’ll go over pricing in detail at your consultation and discuss any financing options that may be available.
You’ll meet with one of our doctors to examine the gap, assess the health of your surrounding teeth and bone, and discuss your options. We’ll take any necessary imaging and give you a clear recommendation along with a realistic picture of what treatment would involve and what results to expect.
You’ll meet with one of our doctors to discuss your current situation, review your options, and get a clear picture of what treatment would look like. We’ll take any necessary imaging and give you an honest recommendation based on your health, goals, and budget. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
Sarah’s Story
“It has changed my confidence in many ways. I can smile more. [Dr. Joe Harris] has changed my life in more ways than I can ever tell him.”
Mary’s Story
“Before I used to hide my smile, and now I just can’t help but smile all the time!”
Nile’s Story
“It’s really brought me a lot of confidence that I didn’t even know I was lacking.”
We would love to hear from you!
Please feel free to call us at 480-428-0040 or email us using the contact form on this page!
We would love to hear from you!
Please feel free to call us at 480-428-0040 or email us using the contact form on this page!
