How long does a dental bridge last?

A well-made, properly maintained bridge typically lasts ten to fifteen years or longer. Longevity depends on the health of the abutment teeth, bite forces in that area of the mouth, and how well the bridge is cleaned at home. Regular check-ups allow Dr. Korous to monitor the bridge and address any changes before they become significant problems.

Is getting a bridge painful?

The preparation appointment involves reshaping the abutment teeth, which is performed under local anesthesia. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure. Some sensitivity in the abutment teeth is common in the days following preparation and resolves once the permanent bridge is seated.

How do I clean under a dental bridge?

Standard floss cannot pass between the bridge and gum tissue the way it does between natural teeth. Floss threaders, interdental brushes, or a water flosser are effective tools for cleaning beneath the pontic and around the margins of the crowns. Dr. Korous and the hygiene team will demonstrate proper technique at your delivery appointment.

Is a bridge better than an implant?

Both are valid solutions for replacing missing teeth, and the better option depends on your specific situation. Implants preserve bone and do not require preparation of adjacent teeth, which gives them a long-term biological advantage. Bridges are completed faster and without surgery. For patients with healthy neighboring teeth and no bone deficiency concerns, either may be appropriate – Dr. Korous will walk you through both options clearly before any treatment is planned.

Can a bridge be used to replace more than one missing tooth?

Yes, though the number of pontics a bridge can span is limited by the load-bearing capacity of the abutment teeth. Replacing three or more consecutive missing teeth with a traditional bridge may not be clinically appropriate depending on the abutment tooth strength—implant-supported bridges are often a better solution in those cases.

What happens to the bone under the bridge over time?

Unlike an implant, a bridge does not stimulate the bone beneath the pontic. Over many years, some bone resorption in that area is expected. This is one clinical consideration Dr. Korous discusses when helping patients choose between a bridge and an implant-supported restoration.

Dental Bridges

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A missing tooth creates more than a gap in your smile. The teeth on either side begin to drift toward the empty space over time. The tooth above or below starts to shift downward or upward without opposition. Bone in the gap gradually diminishes without a root to stimulate it. A dental bridge stops that chain of consequences – replacing the missing tooth with a fixed, natural-looking restoration that restores bite function and holds the surrounding dentition in place. At Millennium Smiles in Frisco, TX, dental bridges are planned and placed with the long-term health of the entire bite in mind.

Dr. Dunia Korous, DDS, MICOI, FICOI, IALD, completed advanced restorative training through Spear Education and the Clinical Master Series, with focused study in occlusion, porcelain restorations, crown and bridge work, and the functional principles that determine whether a fixed restoration performs predictably over time. She also holds Mastership and Fellowship credentials from the International Congress of Oral Implantology, meaning that when implant-supported alternatives are clinically preferable, that option can be fully evaluated and executed in-house without a referral.

Dr. Korous is by far the best dentist that has ever worked on me. No one likes going to the dentist, but if you need some work done on your teeth, then you deserve to be treated with love. I recently had a crown and two on-lays done on my teeth at Millennium Smiles. Since, the crown and on-lays were done all on the same day with no temporaries to go home with and I spend a few hours there for my crown and on-lays to be custom shaded and baked in the oven, they even provided me with a delicious lunch. I strongly recommend Dr. Korous. She is a genuine person, and an amazing doctor with a great personality. She is a perfectionist and she treats you like one of her own family members. I will be returning to Millennium Smiles for all of my future dental work and recommend this office to everyone.

Sahar Saffar

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic restoration that replaces one or more adjacent missing teeth by anchoring to the natural teeth – or implants – on either side of the gap. The anchor teeth, called abutments, are prepared by reducing a small amount of enamel to accommodate crowns, which are permanently cemented in place. The replacement tooth – called a pontic – is suspended between those crowns, spanning the gap and restoring the full arch of the bite.

Because a bridge is cemented in place, it functions and feels much like natural teeth. Patients do not remove it for cleaning, and there is no adjustment period for the appliance itself – only the normal acclimation to a restored bite after years of compensating for a missing tooth.

Types of Dental Bridges

The appropriate bridge design depends on the location of the missing tooth, the health and position of adjacent teeth, and the patient’s long-term treatment goals:

Traditional Bridge: The most common design, using crowns on both adjacent teeth to support the pontic. Appropriate when both neighboring teeth are present, healthy, and in good structural condition
Cantilever Bridge: Anchors to only one adjacent tooth rather than two—used in specific situations where only one healthy abutment tooth is available on one side of the gap
Implant-Supported Bridge: Uses dental implants as the abutment posts rather than natural teeth. This option preserves the neighboring teeth by eliminating the need to prepare them and provides the most stable, long-lasting foundation available for a fixed bridge
Maryland Bridge (Resin-Bonded Bridge): A conservative option that bonds metal or porcelain wings to the backs of adjacent teeth rather than requiring full crown preparation. Best suited for front teeth where biting forces are lower

Dr. Korous will evaluate which bridge design is clinically appropriate based on the location of the gap, the condition of surrounding teeth, and your overall bite and bone health.

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Who Is a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are well-suited for patients in the following situations:

One to Three Adjacent Missing Teeth: Bridges are most effective when replacing a small number of consecutive missing teeth with structurally healthy teeth on both sides
Healthy Abutment Teeth: The teeth that will anchor the bridge must have sufficient bone support and enamel integrity to bear the additional load of the pontic without risk of fracture or failure
Patients Who Prefer a Fixed Restoration: For patients who want a non-removable solution and are not candidates for implants – or who prefer to avoid surgery – a traditional bridge is a well-supported, long-standing option
Patients with Sufficient Bone at the Gap Site: While bridges do not prevent long-term bone loss at the pontic site the way implants do, adequate bone in the initial evaluation ensures proper aesthetics and gum tissue fit beneath the pontic

What to Expect: The Bridge Process

Receiving a dental bridge at Millennium Smiles typically takes two to three appointments:

Evaluation and Planning: Dr. Korous examines the gap site, evaluates the health of abutment teeth, reviews digital X-rays and imaging, and discusses bridge design options. If abutment teeth need any treatment beforehand, that is addressed first.
Preparation and Impressions: The abutment teeth are gently reshaped to accommodate the crowns. Precise digital or physical impressions are taken of the prepared teeth and the opposing arch. A temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth while the permanent restoration is fabricated.
Delivery and Cementation: The finished bridge is tried in to verify fit, bite, and appearance before being permanently cemented. Dr. Korous checks the bite carefully from multiple angles to ensure the bridge distributes chewing forces evenly.
Follow-Up: A brief follow-up appointment confirms that the bite feels comfortable and that the gum tissue around the bridge is healthy and adapting well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges

: A well-made, properly maintained bridge typically lasts ten to fifteen years or longer. Longevity depends on the health of the abutment teeth, bite forces in that area of the mouth, and how well the bridge is cleaned at home. Regular check-ups allow Dr. Korous to monitor the bridge and address any changes before they become significant problems.
: The preparation appointment involves reshaping the abutment teeth, which is performed under local anesthesia. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure. Some sensitivity in the abutment teeth is common in the days following preparation and resolves once the permanent bridge is seated.
: Standard floss cannot pass between the bridge and gum tissue the way it does between natural teeth. Floss threaders, interdental brushes, or a water flosser are effective tools for cleaning beneath the pontic and around the margins of the crowns. Dr. Korous and the hygiene team will demonstrate proper technique at your delivery appointment.
: Both are valid solutions for replacing missing teeth, and the better option depends on your specific situation. Implants preserve bone and do not require preparation of adjacent teeth, which gives them a long-term biological advantage. Bridges are completed faster and without surgery. For patients with healthy neighboring teeth and no bone deficiency concerns, either may be appropriate – Dr. Korous will walk you through both options clearly before any treatment is planned.
: Yes, though the number of pontics a bridge can span is limited by the load-bearing capacity of the abutment teeth. Replacing three or more consecutive missing teeth with a traditional bridge may not be clinically appropriate depending on the abutment tooth strength—implant-supported bridges are often a better solution in those cases.
: Unlike an implant, a bridge does not stimulate the bone beneath the pontic. Over many years, some bone resorption in that area is expected. This is one clinical consideration Dr. Korous discusses when helping patients choose between a bridge and an implant-supported restoration.

Woman with long dark hair wearing a yellow sleeveless dress smiles while seated in front of a white orchid arrangement.

Why Choose Millennium Smiles for Dental Bridges

A dental bridge that fits poorly, places uneven stress on abutment teeth, or doesn’t seat correctly against the opposing bite will cause problems long before it should. Precision in preparation, impressions, and bite adjustment at delivery are what determine whether a bridge performs well over a decade or becomes a recurring problem. Dr. Korous’s advanced restorative training and attention to occlusal function are what separate a bridge done well from one that just fills a gap.

Advanced Crown and Bridge Training: Spear Education and Clinical Master Series coursework in occlusion, porcelain restorations, and functional bite design
Implant Alternative Available In-House: When an implant-supported bridge is the better clinical choice, Dr. Korous’s MICOI and FICOI credentials allow her to perform both the surgical and restorative phases without a referral
Digital Impressions and Same-Day Capabilities: In-house technology supports accurate, efficient fabrication with fewer temporary appliance appointments
Comprehensive Bite Evaluation: Every bridge delivery includes careful occlusal analysis to ensure even force distribution across the arch
Two Frisco Locations: Bridge services are available at both the Main Road and Lebanon Road practices

Whole-Patient Philosophy at Millennium Smiles

Our whole-patient philosophy is at the heart of what we do. We believe in listening to our patients first, conducting comprehensive examinations, and providing thorough education to ensure informed, empowered decision-making. This approach acknowledges that oral health, airway health, and overall well-being are deeply interconnected, reflecting Dr. Korous’s training in a biologically respectful, whole-patient approach to care.

About Our Practice

Replace Your Missing Tooth with a Fixed Solution in Frisco, TX

A gap in your smile is not just cosmetic – it is a structural problem that worsens over time when left unaddressed. A dental bridge from Millennium Smiles offers a fixed, natural-looking restoration that stops that process and gives you back a functional, complete bite. Contact Dr. Korous and the team in Frisco, TX, today to schedule your consultation and find out whether a bridge is the right solution for your smile.

Medically reviewed by Dunia Korous, D.D.S., FICOI, MICOI on April 13, 2026