Dental Bridge Guide: When It Is Possible, Treatment Process and Duration, Care, and Differences From Implants

A bridge is a fixed prosthesis in which the teeth on both sides of the gap are reshaped to serve as abutments and an artificial tooth is joined between them as one unit. It is completed in a relatively short time without surgery, but it carries the burden of grinding down healthy neighboring teeth. It counts as a dental prosthesis, so in Korea it is not covered by health insurance, and the cost varies with the material, the number of connected units and the dental clinic.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

When a bridge is difficult	When the last molar is missing and there is no abutment tooth behind it (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Molar bridge materials	Zirconia is strong enough to allow molar and bridge treatment (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Ceramic bridges	If made of reinforced ceramic, the neighboring abutment teeth can also be treated with full porcelain crowns (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Health insurance	Uninsured, as a dental prosthesis (including materials and lab fees) (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Prosthesis fabrication time	About 1 to 3 weeks and 1 to 3 visits when only the prosthesis is made (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)

When can a bridge be made?

A bridge requires teeth in front of and behind the missing tooth to act as abutments. The abutment teeth need strong roots and sufficient jawbone to share the chewing force of the missing tooth.

The KDCA National Health Information Portal cites a missing last molar, which makes a bridge impossible, as a typical situation in which implants are considered. A bridge is also hard to recommend when several missing teeth are in a row or when an abutment tooth is loose.

There are teeth in front of and behind the gap to serve as abutments
The roots and jawbone of the abutment teeth are strong
The gap to be connected is not long
The abutment teeth have no untreated decay or gum disease

What is the order of bridge treatment?

The abutment teeth are shaped like crown preparations and an impression is taken, then a temporary bridge is attached until completion. When the bridge made by the dental lab arrives, the fit and bite are checked and it is fixed in place with dental cement.

The National Health Information Portal gives the treatment period when only the prosthesis is done as about 1 to 3 weeks and 1 to 3 visits. The period gets longer if root canal treatment is needed first on an abutment tooth or if the gums at the gap need time to heal.

How do bridges and implants differ?

The advantages of a bridge are that it can be made without surgery and is completed in a short time. In exchange, healthy neighboring teeth must be ground down, and if a problem arises in one abutment tooth, the entire connected structure may need to be remade.

An implant treats only the missing spot without touching neighboring teeth, but it requires surgery to place an artificial root in the jawbone and time for the bone to fuse. If the neighboring teeth have already been heavily treated and need crowns anyway, a bridge can be a reasonable choice. The cost comparison should also take into account that for ages 65 and over, implants are covered by health insurance but bridges are not.

How is a bridge cared for?

Under the artificial tooth in the middle of a bridge, the space floats above the gums, so food gets trapped easily and a toothbrush alone does not clean it well. It must be cleaned separately every day with an interdental brush or floss threaded under the bridge to prevent cavities and gum disease in the abutment teeth.

Decay at the margin of an abutment tooth is hard to see from the outside and tends to be found late. Have the condition of the abutment teeth checked with X-rays at regular checkups, and do not put off a checkup if you feel the bridge lifting when chewing or notice an odor.

What happens to the bridge if an abutment tooth has a problem?

In a bridge, several teeth are bound together as one unit, so if decay or gum disease develops in one abutment tooth, the whole bridge often has to be removed for treatment. If the abutment tooth can be saved, a new bridge is made after treatment; if it is hard to save, the gap becomes wider and the plan changes to a longer bridge, an implant or a partial denture.

If an abutment tooth needs root canal treatment, a method of drilling a small hole in the top of the bridge, treating the tooth, and then sealing the hole is sometimes used. Which method is possible depends on how much of the abutment tooth remains and the bridge material, so the earlier you have it checked when you feel lifting or pain, the more options there are to keep the bridge.

Common myths and facts

Myth: Once you have a bridge, you can use it for life.

KDCA materials describe prosthesis lifespan as about 10 years in the literature and say it varies with tooth condition and care. Bridges are often remade because of decay or gum disease in the abutment teeth.

Myth: Ceramic bridges cannot be used on molars.

The National Health Information Portal explains that with the arrival of high-strength ceramics such as zirconia, molar bridges have become possible. However, if grinding is severe, the material and a protective device should be discussed together.

Frequently asked questions

Is a bridge covered by health insurance?

A bridge is a dental prosthesis and is uninsured regardless of age. The health insurance exception for ages 65 and over applies only to dentures and implants, so for those 65 and over it is worth comparing the copay for a bridge side by side with that of an insured implant.

How much of the neighboring teeth is ground down for a bridge?

The abutment teeth are shaped much as they would be for a single crown. Ceramic materials tend to be ground slightly more than metal to secure strength, so the amount removed varies with the material chosen.

Why is there an odor from under my bridge?

Food and plaque may have built up under the artificial tooth, or decay or gum inflammation may have developed in an abutment tooth. If the odor continues even after cleaning with an interdental brush, have the condition of the abutment teeth checked at the dentist.

What should I do if my bridge comes out?

Do not throw the bridge away; keep it and take it to the dentist as soon as possible. If the abutment teeth have no decay, it can be bonded back, but if there is decay or fracture, a new one may need to be made after treatment.

What does the cost of a bridge depend on?

The price of a bridge varies with how many units, including abutment and artificial teeth, are connected, which material is used, and which dental clinic does the work. You can compare prosthesis prices at local clinics in the HIRA uninsured medical fee information.

References

Korean version →