A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a custom replacement tooth between healthy teeth on either side. The result is a fixed, natural-looking restoration that fills the gap, restores your bite, and prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting. At Two Rivers Dental Group in Springfield, OR, Dr. Matthew Collins designs every bridge to fit your mouth exactly and match the rest of your smile, so the replacement tooth blends right in.
How a Bridge Works
A traditional bridge is built from three connected pieces working together to fill the gap and stay anchored in place.
The healthy tooth on one side of the gap. It's reshaped slightly to support a crown that holds the bridge in place.
The custom replacement tooth that fills the gap. Designed to match your other teeth in shape and color so it stays invisible.
The healthy tooth on the other side of the gap. Together with the left abutment, it carries the chewing load for the replacement tooth.
Bridge Types
Different gaps call for different bridge designs. Dr. Collins recommends the best fit based on your specific situation, the location of the gap, and the health of your surrounding teeth.
The classic three-unit design with a replacement tooth anchored by crowns on both neighboring teeth. The most reliable and widely used bridge type.
Anchored to a single neighboring tooth instead of two. Used in specific situations where there's only one healthy tooth adjacent to the gap.
Anchored to dental implants instead of natural teeth. Ideal when multiple teeth are missing or when the neighboring teeth shouldn't be reshaped.
Your Bridge Timeline
A traditional bridge takes about three to four weeks from start to finish, spread across two main visits. Here's what to expect at each stage.
Dr. Collins examines the gap, takes X-rays, and confirms the best bridge type. You see the plan and approve before any work begins.
Anchor teeth are reshaped, digital impressions are taken, and a temporary bridge is placed to protect the area while your final bridge is crafted.
Your custom bridge is built in a dental lab using your digital impressions. The replacement tooth is shaped and color-matched to your other teeth.
The temporary is removed, the final bridge is checked for fit and color, then permanently bonded in place. You leave with a fully restored smile.
Why Replace a Missing Tooth
A missing tooth isn't just a cosmetic issue. The longer the gap stays, the more it affects the rest of your mouth. Here's why we recommend replacing missing teeth sooner rather than later.
Without a tooth filling the space, the teeth on either side gradually tilt or drift into the gap. This throws off your bite and creates new alignment issues.
The tooth above or below the gap can grow longer over time without something to bite against. This makes it harder to clean and more likely to fail.
The jawbone where the tooth used to be slowly shrinks without the chewing pressure to keep it active. This affects the shape of your face long-term.
You start avoiding certain foods or chewing on one side. That extra wear shows up as cracked teeth, jaw pain, or premature wear on the side you favor.
Two Rivers Dental Group serves bridge patients across Springfield, Eugene, Coburg, Thurston, Pleasant Hill, Creswell, and the surrounding Lane County communities. Our office at 1717 Centennial Blvd, Suite #3 is open Tuesday through Friday. Call (541) 746-9552 to schedule a bridge consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule a bridge consultation with Dr. Collins at our Springfield office. Honest answers, clear costs, and lasting results.
Call (541) 746-9552