"I lost a molar and was dreading the whole bridge process. The team made everything so straightforward — the bridge looks absolutely natural and I can't even tell where the missing tooth was. Everyone in the office is wonderful. Highly recommend!"
Fort Worth, TX — Fixed Tooth Replacement
Dental Bridges —
Close the Gap, Restore Your Bite
A missing tooth affects more than your smile — it can shift your bite, strain surrounding teeth, and change how you eat and speak. Dr. Marshall H. Brown, DDS designs custom dental bridges that fill the gap with a natural-looking, fixed solution.
- Traditional Fixed Bridges
- Cantilever & Maryland Options
- Implant-Supported Bridges
- Natural-Looking Porcelain
- Bridge Types Offered
- 4
- Years of Experience
- 30+
- Google Star Rating
- 4.7★
- Typical Lifespan
- 10-15 Yrs
Bridging the Gap, Restoring Function
Why a Dental Bridge Might
Be Right for You
A dental bridge literally "bridges" the gap left by one or more missing teeth. An artificial tooth, called a pontic, is anchored in place using the teeth on either side of the gap — or, in some cases, dental implants — restoring your bite, speech, and smile without the need for surgery.
Leaving a missing tooth gap unaddressed causes more problems over time: neighboring teeth drift into the space, your bite shifts out of alignment, and chewing efficiency declines. A well-designed bridge stops this chain reaction and gives you back a complete, functional smile.
With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Brown offers every type of bridge — from traditional fixed bridges to modern implant-supported options — so you get the solution that best matches your dental anatomy, budget, and long-term goals.
30+
Years Experience
4
Bridge Options
Step by Step
Your Dental Bridge Journey
at Our Fort Worth Office
Getting a dental bridge typically takes two visits over a few weeks. Here's exactly what to expect from consultation to final placement.
Consultation & X-Rays
Visit 1Dr. Brown evaluates the gap, examines adjacent teeth, takes digital X-rays, and recommends the best bridge type for your situation.
Abutment Tooth Preparation
Visit 2Under local anesthesia, the supporting teeth on either side of the gap are gently reshaped to accommodate the crowns that will anchor the bridge.
Impressions & Temporary Bridge
Same VisitPrecise impressions are taken and sent to the dental lab. A temporary bridge is placed to protect your teeth and maintain appearance while your permanent bridge is fabricated.
Lab Fabrication
2-3 WeeksYour custom bridge is crafted in a dental lab to precisely match the shade, shape, and size of your natural teeth.
Final Placement & Bonding
Visit 3Your permanent bridge is checked for fit, bite alignment, and appearance, then permanently bonded into place — completing your treatment.
Bone loss begins within 3 months
of losing a tooth. The sooner you address the gap, the simpler and more
successful your bridge treatment will be.
Ready to Close the Gap?
Schedule your bridge consultation with Dr. Brown today — no pressure, just honest guidance on your best options.
Schedule Consultation Call (817) 920-0882Which Option Is Right for You?
Dental Bridge vs. Implant
vs. Partial Denture
Each tooth replacement option has different benefits. Here's how a dental bridge compares to the alternatives.
| Feature | Dental Bridge | Dental Implant | Partial Denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requires surgery | ✔ No* | ✘ Yes | ✔ No |
| Fixed (non-removable) | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✘ No — removable |
| Alters adjacent healthy teeth | ~ Usually | ✔ No | ✔ No |
| Preserves jawbone | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Treatment timeline | ✔ 2-3 weeks | ~ 3-6 months | ✔ 2-4 weeks |
| Typical lifespan | 10-15 years | Lifetime | 5-8 years |
| Relative investment | Moderate | Higher upfront | Most affordable |
*Implant-supported bridges do require minor implant placement surgery — see the implant-supported bridge section above.
Is a Bridge Right for You?
Who Is a Good Candidate
for a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are an effective, time-tested solution for many patients missing one or more teeth. Here's a general guide to candidacy — a consultation with Dr. Brown will confirm the best option for you.
Great Candidates Typically Have
One or a few missing teeth
Healthy, strong adjacent teeth
Desire for a fixed, non-removable option
Preference to avoid implant surgery
Healthy gums with no active disease
Commitment to proper daily cleaning routine
Consider an Implant-Supported Option If
Adjacent teeth are weak or heavily filled
You want to preserve jawbone density
Multiple consecutive teeth are missing
You want the longest-lasting solution
Not sure which bridge type fits your needs?
A consultation with Dr. Brown will map out your best options.
Making Your Bridge Last
Caring for Your
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is only as strong as the teeth or implants supporting it. Proper daily care protects your investment and keeps your bridge functioning for 10-15 years or more.
- Clean under the pontic daily using a floss threader, water flosser, or superfloss — regular floss cannot reach this area
- Brush twice daily around the abutment teeth and the bridge itself to prevent decay and gum disease
- Avoid very hard or sticky foods that could damage or dislodge the bridge, such as ice, hard candy, or caramel
- Attend regular checkups every 6 months so Dr. Brown can monitor the health of your abutment teeth and the bridge's fit
- Report any looseness or discomfort promptly — early intervention prevents bigger problems down the road
The #1 cause of bridge failure is decay developing around
the abutment teeth from inadequate cleaning underneath the pontic. Daily
flossing with the right tools prevents this entirely.
Real Patient Results
Dental Bridge Before & After Gallery
See what's possible. These are real patients of Dr. Brown — real Fort Worth smiles, restored with custom dental bridges.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Patient Experiences
Fort Worth Patients Trust Dr. Brown With Their Bridges
Real reviews from real patients — see why Fort Worth residents choose Marshall H. Brown, DDS for comfortable, natural-looking dental bridges.
"I needed to replace a missing front tooth and didn't want the adjacent teeth filed down. Dr. Brown recommended a Maryland bridge and I'm so happy with the result. It's completely seamless and nobody has ever noticed. The whole process was quick and painless."
"I had three teeth missing in a row and Dr. Brown recommended an implant-supported bridge instead of filing down my remaining teeth. Best decision ever — it's incredibly stable and I never think about it. Worth every penny for the peace of mind."
Common Questions
Dental Bridge FAQs
Have more questions? Call us at (817) 920-0882 — we're always happy to help.
With proper care, dental bridges typically last 10-15 years, and many last much longer. Longevity depends on the health of the supporting abutment teeth or implants, your oral hygiene routine, and regular dental checkups to monitor the bridge and surrounding teeth.
The bridge placement process is performed under local anesthesia, so you should feel little to no discomfort during tooth preparation. Some mild sensitivity is normal for a few days afterward, especially if natural teeth were reduced to serve as abutments. Most patients describe the process as comparable to getting a filling or crown.
A dental bridge replaces missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent natural teeth (which must be reduced in size) or to implants. A dental implant replaces a missing tooth root directly in the jawbone without affecting neighboring teeth.
Implants also preserve jawbone density, which traditional bridges do not, and typically last longer — often a lifetime versus 10-15 years for a bridge. However, bridges are faster to complete and don't require surgery, making them a great option for patients who prefer a quicker, non-surgical solution.
Cleaning under a bridge requires special tools since regular floss cannot pass under the pontic (the artificial tooth). A floss threader, water flosser, or specially designed superfloss with a stiffened end allows you to clean beneath the bridge daily.
This step is essential — inadequate cleaning under the pontic is the leading cause of decay around the abutment teeth and premature bridge failure. Dr. Brown's team will show you the proper technique at your delivery appointment.
A properly bonded, well-maintained dental bridge is designed to stay securely in place for many years. However, decay around the abutment teeth, gum disease, or trauma can compromise the bridge's foundation over time, potentially causing it to loosen or come out.
Regular checkups every 6 months allow Dr. Brown to catch and address issues — such as early decay or a loose crown — before the bridge fails. If your bridge ever feels loose, contact our office promptly rather than waiting.
Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for dental bridges since they restore function as well as appearance. Coverage amounts vary significantly by plan and provider.
Our team verifies your benefits before treatment and provides a transparent, itemised cost estimate. We also offer flexible financing options, including CareCredit, to help make treatment more accessible.