Real cases from our clinic
Patients of Dr Haim Aseriel, photographed at the clinic and shared with their consent. Drag the line across the photo to compare.
Porcelain-fused-to-zirconia bridge: full smile makeover
- Real patients of the clinic
- Published with patient consent
- Every result is individual
What is a dental bridge? A fixed solution for a missing tooth
Choosing between a fixed bridge and other options depends on each patient's mouth, where the tooth is missing and the condition of the neighboring teeth. A bridge, an implant and a denture are compared at the examination.
A dental bridge replaces a missing tooth and is supported by crowns cemented on the neighboring teeth; it is not removed by the patient.
A traditional fixed bridge has at least three parts: two anchoring crowns (abutments) that cover the natural teeth on either side, and an artificial tooth (pontic) that fills the gap between them. Unlike a removable denture, a fixed bridge is cemented in the mouth. A bridge is closely related to dental crowns: each supporting tooth receives a crown.
"Gesher" in Israel: a dental bridge or braces?
English speakers living in Israel are often confused by the word גשר ("gesher", bridge). In everyday Hebrew it is widely used for orthodontic braces, the brackets glued to the teeth and connected by a wire; a "clear gesher" usually means clear (ceramic) braces. Braces move existing teeth into place (see teeth straightening); they do not replace a missing tooth. This page is about the prosthetic dental bridge, whose purpose is to replace a missing tooth.
Types of dental bridges
There are several types of bridges. The right one depends on where the tooth is missing, the expected chewing load and the condition of the supporting teeth. The main types are:
- Traditional bridge: the most common type, with two anchoring crowns on the neighboring teeth and an artificial tooth between them.
- Cantilever bridge: supported by a tooth on one side only, suitable for certain areas; according to a systematic review, about 82% of cantilever bridges survived 10 years, fewer than traditional bridges.
- All-ceramic (metal-free) bridge: for example zirconia or E-MAX, chosen mainly for visible areas.
- Resin-bonded (Maryland) bridge: bonded to the back of the neighboring teeth with metal or ceramic wings, with very little removal of tooth structure; mainly used for front teeth.
- Implant-supported bridge: supported by dental implants rather than natural teeth, so healthy teeth do not need to be prepared.
Benefits of a dental bridge
A fixed bridge restores chewing and keeps the neighboring teeth stable.
A bridge solves a structural problem. A missing tooth creates uneven chewing forces that can speed up wear on other teeth. Over time, the neighboring teeth can tip toward the space and the opposing tooth can over-erupt into it, which changes the bite.
Aesthetically, a porcelain or ceramic bridge is matched to the shade and shape of the neighboring teeth. Materials such as E-MAX and zirconia offer a translucency close to that of natural enamel.
The dental bridge procedure, step by step
After an extraction, the permanent bridge is usually placed only once the gums and bone have healed; the timing is set after the examination, and a temporary bridge or a flipper can be used in the meantime.
1. Thorough examination
The dentist carries out a thorough examination, with X-rays as needed (for example a panoramic X-ray), and checks the condition of the supporting teeth and the gums.
2. Preparing the supporting teeth
The supporting teeth are reduced under local anesthesia to make room for the crowns; how much tooth structure is removed depends on the material.
3. Impressions and the dental lab
Impressions are taken (with impression material or a digital scan) and sent to the dental laboratory. A temporary bridge protects the teeth until the permanent bridge is ready.
4. Cementing the permanent bridge
The permanent bridge is cemented, and the dentist checks the bite and the appearance.
A traditional bridge is usually completed in a few visits, whereas an implant-supported bridge requires a longer wait for the implants to bond with the bone.
Orthodontic treatment may be needed first if the neighboring teeth are not straight enough to serve as good supports.
How long does a dental bridge last?
A fixed bridge is a long-term solution, but not a lifelong one: according to a systematic review, about 89% of fixed bridges supported by natural teeth survived 10 years, and about 71% remained free of any complication (Tan, Pjetursson et al., Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2004). According to an older meta-analysis, about 74% survived 15 years (Creugers et al., Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 1994).
According to a literature review, the most common complications of fixed bridges are decay in the supporting teeth, the need for root canal treatment (about 11% of abutment teeth) and loss of retention, when the bridge comes loose (about 7% of bridges) (Goodacre et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2003). A bridge therefore needs good cleaning and regular check-ups, not just placement.
The material matters too: for single crowns, according to a systematic review, the 5-year survival rate is about 92% for zirconia and about 95% for porcelain fused to metal (Sailer et al., Dental Materials, 2015), so the material is chosen according to the position of the bridge and the chewing load.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Dental bridge care: what to watch for, including cantilever and Maryland bridges
A dental bridge needs daily cleaning under the artificial tooth, avoiding very hard or very sticky foods, and regular check-ups of the supporting teeth and the bridge.
The most common complication is decay in the supporting teeth, usually at the edge of the crown: according to a literature review, it affected about 18% of abutment teeth (Goodacre et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2003). So clean under the bridge every day with a floss threader, or with a water flosser where it is hard to pass floss. Avoid chewing ice, very hard foods and sticky candy. With resin-bonded (Maryland) bridges, debonding is the most common complication, reported in about 21% of cases in a literature review (Goodacre et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2003). For front teeth, a review of anterior resin-bonded bridges found a 5-year survival of about 92% for single-wing designs and about 85% for two-wing designs, a difference that was not statistically significant (Mendes et al., European Journal of Dentistry, 2021). A cantilever bridge, supported by a single tooth, survived less often than a traditional bridge over 10 years (about 82% vs 89%) (Pjetursson et al., Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2004), so the dentist checks carefully that the supporting tooth can carry the load.
Regular check-ups catch problems early, before they turn into complications. How often you need a check-up depends on your oral health and your individual risk of decay and gum disease: for many people it is every six months, for others more or less often, as advised by the dentist. Teeth whitening does not change the color of a bridge, because whitening only works on natural teeth. For patients who grind their teeth at night, the dentist may recommend a night guard to protect the bridge.
How much does a dental bridge cost?
The cost of a dental bridge depends on several factors: the material (zirconia, E-MAX, porcelain fused to metal), the number of units, the condition of the supporting teeth and the complexity of the case.
There is no single price that reflects every patient's needs: a simple three-unit bridge is very different from a complex six-unit bridge. After a thorough examination, the clinic gives you a detailed written estimate, and itemized receipts that you can submit to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy). For the details, read our guide to dental bridge cost.
Book a dental bridge consultation in Jerusalem
Consultations with Dr Haim Aseriel, a US-trained dentist (NYU College of Dentistry), cover orthodontics first, a single bridge or a full mouth rehabilitation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem.
Dental bridges: frequently asked questions
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. An artificial tooth (pontic) is joined to crowns cemented on the natural teeth on either side of the gap, or to dental implants. Unlike a removable denture, a bridge stays in the mouth and is not taken out by the patient.
The main types of dental bridges are the traditional bridge, supported by a tooth on each side of the gap; the cantilever bridge, supported on one side only; the resin-bonded (Maryland) bridge, attached with wings to the back of the neighboring teeth; and the implant-supported bridge. The choice depends on where the tooth is missing, the chewing load and the condition of the neighboring teeth; when those teeth are healthy, an implant is often considered instead.
A dental bridge is a long-term solution: according to a systematic review, about 89% of fixed bridges supported by natural teeth survived 10 years, and an older meta-analysis found that about 74% survived 15 years. How long a bridge lasts depends mainly on cleaning around the supporting teeth and on regular check-ups.
Caring for a dental bridge means cleaning every day under the artificial tooth and around the supporting teeth, with a floss threader, bridge floss or an interdental brush, and having regular dental check-ups. Decay in the supporting teeth is the most common complication of bridges. It is also best to avoid chewing ice and very hard or very sticky foods.
Not always. In everyday Israeli Hebrew, "gesher" (bridge) is also slang for orthodontic braces, which move existing teeth. A dental bridge, by contrast, replaces a missing tooth. When an Israeli clinic or friend mentions a "gesher", it is worth asking whether they mean braces or a prosthetic bridge.
Sources
- Tan K, Pjetursson BE et al., Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2004 – Link to study
- Pjetursson BE et al. (cantilever bridges), Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2004 – Link to study
- Creugers NH et al., Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 1994 – Link to study
- Goodacre CJ et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2003 – Link to study
- Mendes JM et al., European Journal of Dentistry, 2021 – Link to study
- Sailer I et al., Dental Materials, 2015 – Link to study
- Fee PA et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 – Link to study
