Illustration of a three-tooth dental bridge being placed over two prepared teeth

Your family's dental home

Dental Bridges in Canton: Do You Need One, and What to Expect

Call Us Now

The short answer

Reviewed by our

Canton

doctors.

A dental bridge is a fixed false tooth held in place by the teeth on either side of a gap. It stays in your mouth and doesn't come out at night. Whether it's the right choice depends mostly on the health of those neighboring teeth.

A Dental Bridge Replaces One or More Missing Teeth

Dental bridges do just what the name says. They span a gap. A bridge fills the space left by one missing tooth, or by a few missing teeth in a row. The false tooth in the middle is called a pontic. It's held up by crowns that fit over the teeth on each side of the gap. Those support teeth are called abutments. The whole piece is cemented in place, so you don't take it out to clean it or sleep. That's the big difference from a partial denture, which is removable.

A gap may not hurt, so it's easy to put off. But teeth lean on each other. When one is gone, the teeth beside it can start to tilt into the open space. The tooth above or below the gap can drift too, since nothing is there to meet it. Over time, your bite can feel off. Food can get trapped in new places. You may start chewing more on one side without even noticing.

There's more than one kind of bridge. The right one depends on where the gap is and what's around it:

Traditional bridge: a false tooth held by crowns on the teeth on both sides of the gap. This is the most common type.
Cantilever bridge: the false tooth is held by a crown on one side only. It's used when there's a healthy tooth on just one side.
Maryland bridge: the false tooth is held by a thin wing bonded to the back of the neighboring teeth. It often works for front teeth that don't take heavy chewing force.
Implant-supported bridge: the bridge rests on dental implants instead of natural teeth. It can be a good fit when several teeth in a row are missing.

Here's the part that matters most when you're deciding. A traditional bridge needs crowns on the teeth next to the gap. To fit a crown, the dentist has to reshape that tooth. If those teeth already have large fillings, cracks, or old crowns, that's often a good trade. They needed the protection anyway, and the bridge puts that work to good use. But if those teeth are healthy and untouched, reshaping them is a real cost. In that case, it's worth asking about other options before you choose.

Say you lost a lower back tooth a few years ago. Lately you've noticed the tooth behind the gap leaning forward, and food keeps catching there when you eat. If the tooth in front already has a big filling, a bridge may make a lot of sense. If both neighbors are strong and healthy, you might weigh a different fix.

At our office at 336 N Main St, you'll see Dr. Aaron Thum, who was born and raised in Canton. Bridges, crowns, partial dentures, and implant restoration are all offered here. That means you can talk through each option in one place and pick the one that fits your teeth, not just the gap.

Signs You Might Need a Bridge Versus a Different Fix

You don't have to figure this out alone, but it helps to know what points toward a bridge and what points somewhere else. Look at the gap, then look at what's around it.

A bridge is often a good fit when:

You're missing one tooth, or two or three in a row, with solid teeth on both ends of the space.
The gap's neighboring teeth already have big fillings, cracks, or worn crowns, so covering them helps them too.
You want something fixed in place that you never take out.
Your gums around the gap are healthy and the teeth beside it aren't loose.

A different fix may serve you better when:

The gap's neighboring teeth are strong and untouched, and you'd rather not reshape them. An implant may be worth a look. We offer implant restoration here, which means we can build and fit the tooth that sits on top of an implant.
You're missing several teeth in different spots, not side by side. One bridge can't span spaces that far apart, and a partial denture can fill them all at once.
Your gums bleed, feel puffy, or have pulled back, or nearby teeth feel a little loose. Gum disease weakens the teeth a bridge would lean on, so periodontal treatment usually comes first.
The tooth isn't gone yet. If it's cracked or aching but still there, a crown or a root canal might save it, and saving your own tooth is worth trying.

Sometimes the honest answer is that you may not need to replace the tooth at all. If the gap is all the way in the back, like where a wisdom tooth used to be, and your bite feels fine, leaving it alone can be a reasonable choice. The same can be true when the tooth across from the gap is also missing, so there's nothing to drift toward the space. In those cases, we'd rather keep an eye on things at your regular visits than put work on healthy teeth that don't need it.

Think about how you live with the gap day to day, too. Do you avoid chewing on that side? Do you hide your smile in photos? Does food keep catching in the same spot? Those things count. A front tooth gap that bothers you every time you talk is a different decision than a back gap you rarely notice.

None of these signs gives you the final answer on its own. X-rays and a careful look at your gums and nearby teeth fill in the rest. That's the kind of everyday care that falls under general dentistry, and it's why a bridge decision usually starts with a regular exam rather than a quick look at the gap.

If you're not sure which list sounds like you, that's normal. Bring your questions. Dr. Thum can walk you through what he sees and what each choice would mean for the teeth you still have.

What Happens During the Bridge Process

Most people worry about this part more than they need to. A traditional bridge usually takes two main visits, with a few weeks in between. Most of the time in the chair is spent getting things ready, and the steps are a lot like getting a crown.

It starts with a look at the whole area. X-rays show the roots and bone under the support teeth. The dentist checks your gums and your bite, too. If something needs care first, like a cavity under an old filling or a gum problem, that gets handled before the bridge work begins. Building a bridge on a weak tooth doesn't help anyone.

On the first visit, the teeth next to the gap are numbed so you're comfortable. Then they're shaped down a little so the crowns can fit over them. You'll feel pressure and hear the sounds, but it shouldn't hurt. After that, the dentist takes an impression or scan of your teeth. That gives the lab an exact model of your mouth, so the new bridge lines up with your bite.

Before you leave, you'll usually get a temporary bridge. It covers the shaped teeth and fills the gap while the real one is being made. It won't feel quite like the finished bridge, and it isn't as strong. Many people find it helps to chew on the other side and go easy on sticky or very hard foods until the permanent one is in.

Our office doesn't make crowns in-house on the same day, so plan on at least two appointments for a bridge here. The extra time lets the bridge be made to fit you, shade and all.

At the second visit, the temporary comes off. Before anything is cemented, the new bridge is tried in, and a few things get checked:

Does it sit snugly on the support teeth with no gaps at the edges?
Does your bite feel even when you close and chew?
Does the color blend in with the teeth around it?
Can you get floss under the false tooth to keep it clean?

Small changes are normal at this step. Once it feels right to you and looks right to the dentist, the bridge is cemented in place. For the next few days, your teeth may feel a little sensitive to cold, and your bite may feel new. That usually settles down. If one spot still feels high after the numbness wears off, it's a quick fix, so speak up.

Other bridge types change the timeline a bit. A Maryland bridge needs much less shaping, since the wings bond to the back of the teeth. An implant-supported bridge takes longer. The implants need time to heal into the bone before the bridge goes on. Because we offer implant restoration in Canton, we can make and fit the bridge that sits on top once the implants are ready.

Either way, nothing gets cemented until you're happy with how it fits and feels.

Missing a tooth? Let's see if a bridge fits.

Call Us

(309) 647-3331

Who Treats You at Our Office

When you come in for a bridge in Canton, you'll see Dr. Aaron Thum. He's the only doctor at this office, so he's the one who looks at your X-rays and talks with you about your options. He's also the one who shapes the teeth and checks the fit at the end. You won't get passed from one dentist to the next between visits.

That matters more with a bridge than with a lot of other work. Earlier we talked about the big question of whether it's worth reshaping the teeth next to the gap. That call goes better when one person knows your mouth over time. Many of the people Dr. Thum treats are neighbors, and he expects to keep seeing you for years after the bridge goes in.

Canton is where Associates in Dentistry started, back in 1972, before the Washington, Bartonville, and Peoria offices opened. The practice is independent. No corporate group owns it or sets how your care is planned.

A few services aren't offered at this office. Oral surgery is one of them. That's worth knowing if an implant-supported bridge is on the table, so ask about it early. That way the whole plan is clear before you start.

Cost is usually the next question, and it's a fair one. We can't give you a number for your bridge until you've had an exam. A bridge is priced by its parts, so the total depends on what your mouth needs. These are the things that tend to move the cost:

How many teeth the bridge covers. Each false tooth and each support crown counts as its own unit.
Which type of bridge fits your gap. A Maryland bridge, a traditional bridge, and an implant-supported bridge are built in different ways.
Whether other care has to come first, like treating a cavity, doing a root canal, or getting gum problems under control.
What your dental plan covers for crowns and bridges, and how much of your yearly maximum is left.

On insurance, Associates in Dentistry moved to a fee-for-service model in August 2024 and accepts and bills most insurance plans. If you have dental coverage, bring your card and your plan details. Before you agree to anything, ask what each part of the bridge costs and what your plan is likely to pay. A clear plan up front saves you surprises later.

You don't need to know which bridge you want before you call. Just tell us where the gap is and how long it's been there. Mention anything you've noticed, like a tooth leaning or food catching in the same spot. Dr. Thum will take it from there and give you a straight answer, even if that answer is to wait.

How Insurance and Payment Work for Bridges

Insurance is where a lot of people get stuck. The good news is that most dental plans follow the same basic rules for bridges. Once you know what to look for, your plan booklet gets a lot easier to read.

Most plans sort care into groups. Cleanings and exams are usually listed as preventive care. Fillings are often basic care. Bridges, crowns, and dentures usually fall under major care. Plans tend to pay a smaller share for major care than for the other groups. Your booklet will list the exact share for your plan, so check that first.

A few other rules can change what you pay. They're easy to miss, so it's worth asking about each one:

Waiting periods. Some plans won't pay for major care until you've been covered for a set amount of time. If you just started a new plan, ask when major care kicks in.
Missing tooth clause. Some plans won't pay to replace a tooth you lost before you joined the plan. This one surprises people, so ask about it by name.
Replacement limits. If you're replacing an old bridge, many plans only pay for a new one after a certain number of years have passed.
Yearly maximum. Plans cap what they'll pay each year. A bridge can use up a big part of that cap, especially if a root canal or gum care comes first.

That yearly cap is where timing can help. Say you need gum treatment and a bridge, and it's already fall. If waiting a little is safe for your teeth, you might do the first step this year and the bridge after your plan resets. Many plans count a bridge on the day it's cemented, not the day the teeth are shaped. Your plan's rules decide this, so check before you count on it. And don't let a calendar push you to wait on a tooth that's hurting.

You can also ask your insurance company about a pre-treatment estimate. That's when the plan looks at the planned work ahead of time and tells you what it expects to pay. It isn't a promise, but it gives you a much clearer picture before you start.

If you have a health savings account or a flexible spending account through work, you can often use it for dental work like a bridge. That money goes in before taxes, which stretches it further. Many flexible spending accounts have to be used by the end of the plan year, so a bridge can be a good use of money that would otherwise go unspent.

Since the practice works on a fee-for-service model, it helps to know your plan's rules before your visit. A short call to your insurance company can save you a lot of guessing. Here's what to ask:

Are bridges covered, and what share does the plan pay for major care?
Do I have a waiting period or a missing tooth clause?
How much of my yearly maximum is left right now?
When does my plan year reset?

Write down the answers and bring them in with your card. Then the money side of your bridge can be as clear as the plan for your teeth.

FAQ

Answers to the most common questions.

Something else on your mind?
Call us at (309) 647-3331.

How long does a dental bridge last?

A dental bridge can last for many years with good oral hygiene and regular dental care. How long it lasts depends on the bridge, the supporting teeth and how well you care for them.

Can I eat normally with a temporary bridge?

A temporary bridge is more delicate than the permanent restoration. It's best to avoid sticky or very hard foods and follow the instructions you receive from our team.

Does insurance cover a dental bridge?

Coverage depends on your specific dental insurance plan. Associates in Dentistry is fee-for-service and can bill most dental insurance plans, but we're not in-network with any dental insurance plan. Our team can help you understand your estimated costs and coverage.

Does a cracked tooth always need a bridge?

No. The right treatment depends on how much healthy tooth remains and whether the tooth can be restored. Depending on the situation, a filling, crown or another treatment may be appropriate.

Who handles dental bridges in Canton?

Dr. Aaron Thum can evaluate your tooth, discuss your options and plan your bridge treatment here in Canton.

What's the difference between a bridge and a partial denture?

A bridge is fixed in place, while a partial denture can be removed. The health of your remaining teeth and the location of the missing tooth or teeth can help determine which option makes sense.