Tooth replacement

Dental bridges in Irving, TX

A bridge fills the gap from a missing tooth with a fixed replacement you don't take out. We'll compare it with an implant honestly so you can choose what fits your mouth and budget.

Bridge vs. implant compared honestly
Dr. Carl Prince: crown and bridge focus
Digital impressions, no goopy trays

Book a visit Call (469) 706-0710

Reviewed by Dr. Carl Prince, General DentistUpdated November 2026

Empty dental chair in a lavender treatment room with a TV at Kudo Care Dental in Irving

Why replace a missing tooth with a dental bridge

A dental bridge is one of the most dependable ways to fill a gap left by a missing tooth, and it's a common choice for patients across Irving, Farmers Branch and Carrollton. It's fixed in place — you don't take it out at night — and it looks and works like natural teeth.

Even one missing tooth affects more than your smile. Over time:

Teeth next to the gap can tip or drift into the space.
The tooth above or below can grow longer into the gap, since nothing is stopping it.
Your bite can shift, and chewing on that side gets harder.
The jawbone where the tooth used to be slowly shrinks.

A bridge restores chewing and keeps your teeth from shifting. It doesn't stop bone loss under the gap — an implant does a better job there, which is one reason we compare both with you.

Signs you might need dental bridges

A missing tooth from an extraction or injury
Teeth next to a gap starting to tip or shift
Trouble chewing on one side
Teeth beside the gap already need crowns
You'd rather not wear a removable partial

Traditional and implant-supported bridges

Traditional bridge. We place crowns on the teeth on each side of the gap and attach a replacement tooth between them, all as one piece. It's a good fit when those neighboring teeth already have large fillings or need crowns anyway, because you solve two problems at once. Dr. Carl Prince focuses on aesthetic dentistry, especially crown and bridge work.

Implant-supported bridge. Instead of using natural teeth as anchors, we place dental implants and attach the bridge to them. This works well when three or more teeth in a row are missing, or when the neighboring teeth are healthy and you'd rather not reshape them. It requires surgery and healing time first, and we plan it with 3D CBCT imaging. If the bone has thinned, bone grafting may be part of the plan.

Bridge vs. implant: an honest comparison

Neither option is right for everyone. Here's how a traditional bridge, a single implant and an implant-supported bridge compare:

At a glance	Traditional bridge	Single implant	Implant-supported bridge
Usually replaces	1–2 teeth in a row	1 tooth	3 or more teeth in a row
Neighboring teeth	Reshaped for crowns	Left untouched	Left untouched
Surgery needed	No	Yes	Yes
Time to finish	About 2–3 weeks	Often 3–6+ months, including healing	Often 3–6+ months, including healing
Bone in the gap	Continues to shrink	Helps preserve it	Helps preserve it under the implants
Daily cleaning	Floss threader or water flosser under the bridge	Brush and floss like a natural tooth	Floss threader or water flosser under the bridge
Typical lifespan	Often 10–15 years	Implant can last decades; the crown may need replacing	Implants can last decades; the bridge may need replacing
Upfront cost	Lower	Higher per tooth	Highest total, but often less per tooth than separate implants

For more on implant pricing, see our Irving dental implant cost guide.

Caring for your bridge

The replacement tooth sits on top of your gums, and food and plaque collect underneath it. Cleaning under it every day is the single most important thing you can do to make your bridge last.

Floss threaders work like a sewing needle: thread regular floss under the bridge, then slide it against the side of each anchor tooth.
Floss with a stiff end slips under the bridge without a separate threader.
A water flosser flushes debris from under the bridge and is easier for some people.
Small interdental brushes clean the sides of the anchor teeth.

We'll show you the technique — it usually takes a week or two to become routine. Keep up with regular cleanings so we can check the anchor teeth and gums.

How long bridges last

A well-made bridge often lasts 10 to 15 years, and longer with good care. Bridges rarely fail because the porcelain breaks; they fail because the anchor teeth develop decay at the edge or gum disease weakens their support. Warning signs include a bad taste or odor around the bridge, gums that bleed there, a loose feeling or pain when you bite. If you notice any of these, come in early — sometimes an anchor tooth can be treated before the whole bridge needs replacing.

If a bridge isn't the right fit, a removable partial denture is another option, especially when several teeth are missing in different spots. See dentures for more.

What to expect, step by step

Exam and options
We check the gap, neighboring teeth and bone with digital x-rays — and 3D imaging if implants are an option — then compare choices and costs with you.
Prepare the anchors
For a traditional bridge, we numb the area and shape the neighboring teeth for crowns. For an implant-supported bridge, implants are placed and allowed to heal first.
Digital impressions and temporary
We scan your teeth for the lab and place a temporary bridge so you're not left with a gap.
Fit and cement
When the lab work is ready, we try in the final bridge, check fit, color and bite, then secure it in place.
Learn to clean it
We show you how to use floss threaders or a water flosser and check the bridge at your next cleaning.

Cost, insurance & financing

In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, a traditional three-unit bridge (two crowns plus one replacement tooth) typically ranges from about $2,500 to $5,000 without insurance. Implant-supported bridges cost more — often roughly $6,000 to $15,000 or more — because they include the implants.

Your exact cost depends on how many teeth are replaced, the materials, and whether you need extractions, bone grafting or other care first. We give you a written estimate before treatment, and financing through Cherry, Affirm and CareCredit is available, subject to credit approval. See insurance and financing.

Patient reviews

Neighbors who’d send you our way

4.8

Average across 830+ Google reviews of Kudo Care Center

Read reviews

“Had a great experience coming here first time. Staff was very friendly and professional. Cleaning went great. Fernando was very nice and friendly, best customer service I’ve had from any dental office.”

Bilal W. · Google reviewDental cleaning

“I’ve been coming to this clinic for several years now. I like that they have different specialties all in one place, offer flexible appointment times, and are open on weekends. Everyone is very friendly.”

Luz A. · Google reviewPatient for years

“I always have a positive experience and I feel like my concerns are taken seriously. This makes me feel reassured and that I’m being listened to. It’s great that they open weekends!”

Elvira R. · Google reviewWeekend hours

FAQ

Dental Bridges: your questions, answered

Still have a question? Call (469) 706-0710 — a real person answers, in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.

Is a bridge or an implant better?

It depends on your teeth and priorities. A bridge is faster, needs no surgery and usually costs less upfront, and it makes sense when the neighboring teeth already need crowns. An implant leaves healthy neighbors untouched, helps preserve bone and is easier to floss. We'll show you your x-rays and give you written estimates for both so you can decide.

How long does a dental bridge last?

Often 10 to 15 years, and longer with good care. The bridge itself is durable; most problems come from decay or gum disease around the anchor teeth. Cleaning under the bridge every day and keeping up with regular checkups are the best ways to help it last.

How many teeth can a bridge replace?

A traditional bridge usually replaces one or two missing teeth in a row, because the anchor teeth have to carry the extra load. For three or more missing teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge is often the better option. If teeth are missing in several different spots, a partial denture may make more sense.

Does getting a bridge hurt?

Preparing the anchor teeth is done with thorough numbing, so most patients feel pressure, not pain. Afterward, the anchor teeth may be sensitive to cold and your gums a little sore for a few days; over-the-counter pain relievers usually handle it. If you're anxious, ask about our sedation options and we'll review which suit your health history.

How do you floss under a bridge?

Use a floss threader — a flexible plastic loop — to pull regular floss under the replacement tooth, then slide the floss up and down against each anchor tooth. Floss with a stiff end works the same way without a separate threader, and a water flosser is another good option. We'll show you how at your first visit after the bridge goes in.

Can I get a bridge if I lost the tooth years ago?

Often, yes. But after a long time, nearby teeth may have shifted and the bone may have thinned, so we check with x-rays first. If the space has narrowed or teeth have tipped, a bridge may need some planning around that, and in some cases an implant or partial denture fits better. We'll walk you through what we see.

Will my insurance cover a dental bridge?

Many PPO plans cover part of a bridge as a major service, often after a deductible and sometimes a waiting period. Some plans have a “missing tooth clause” that excludes teeth lost before your coverage began. We check your benefits before treatment and give you a written estimate, so you know your share ahead of time.

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Request a time online in about a minute, call us, or simply walk in during open hours. We’ll take it from there.