A bridge is a dental appliance that replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth that are anchored to adjacent teeth or implants. Also called a partial denture, a bridge may be permanently attached or removable and may last five to seven years or longer, depending on care and upkeep. Bridges may be used to replace teeth that are missing for any reason, including injury, tooth decay or periodontal disease.

A bridge is composed of pontics and abutments. The pontics are the artificial teeth that replace the missing teeth. The abutments are the structures that anchor the bridge in place. Abutments may be natural teeth that have been specially prepared to anchor the bridge or they may be special dental implants.

Bridges may be fixed or removable. Fixed bridges are permanently attached and can only be removed by a dentist. They may be attached to artificial crowns on the abutments or they may be bonded directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges can be taken out for cleaning. They may be held in place by metal clasps that attach to natural teeth or by precision attachments. Precision attachments are nearly invisible but are typically more expensive than metal clasps. Artificial crowns may be used on the abutment teeth to help secure the fit of a precision attachment.

The numerous types of bridges may be made of various materials. Only a dentist or dental specialist (e.g., prosthodontist) can determine what materials are most appropriate for a specific patient. Factors that influence this decision include the location of the bridge in the mouth (e.g., visible or not visible area) and patient preference and health. Materials frequently used in bridges include:

• Gold alloys. Composed of a combination of gold, copper and other metals. These materials are tough and strong. They are highly resistant to tarnishing, corrosion, fracture and wear. These materials do not tend to require as much removal of healthy tooth material as other bridge materials. They are gentle to the nearby teeth and are well tolerated by patients. However, many patients do not like the metallic gold color.
  
  
• Base metal alloys. Composed of a combination of base metals. These materials are also tough. They are highly resistant to fracture, wear, tarnishing and corrosion. However, they have a metallic silver color that many patients do not like. They may also cause an allergic reaction or initial discomfort with hot and cold in some patients.
  
  
• Porcelain. May be composed of porcelain, ceramics or glasslike materials. These materials have a color and translucency that closely matches natural teeth. They are also highly resistant to wear. However, they may be prone to fracture and can wear down nearby teeth if the porcelain surface becomes rough.
  
  
• Porcelain fused to metal (PFM). Composed of a porcelain crown bonded to a metal base. This combination is strong and durable and highly resistant to wear. However, it can wear down nearby teeth if the porcelain surface becomes rough. It may also cause an allergic sensitivity or initial discomfort with hot and cold in some patients.
  
  
• Composite resin. Composed of a type of composite plastic. This material tends to be relatively inexpensive and looks like natural teeth. However, it may stain more readily than porcelain. This material is not as strong or durable as porcelain, but also does not excessively wear down nearby teeth.