Dental Bridges in Boise, ID | Replace Missing Teeth

Replace Missing Teeth With a Stable, Natural-Looking Solution

A missing tooth can affect how you eat, speak, and feel about your smile. A custom dental bridge fills the open space with a fixed restoration designed to restore function, support proper tooth alignment, and create a natural appearance.

At Kik Dental, Dr. Wagner provides dental bridges for patients in Boise, ID, who want a dependable alternative to leaving a gap in their smile. Your treatment begins with a careful evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, and replacement options.

Ready to discuss your options? Call 208-342-3440 or request an appointment with Kik Dental.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. The replacement tooth, called a pontic, fills the open space and is supported by neighboring teeth, dental crowns, or dental implants.

Unlike a removable appliance, a bridge stays in place while you eat, speak, and complete your daily routine. Each restoration is designed to complement the shape, size, and color of the surrounding teeth.

Benefits of Replacing a Missing Tooth

Replacing a missing tooth can support more than the appearance of your smile. Depending on your needs, a dental bridge may:

• Make it more comfortable to bite and chew
• Restore the appearance of a complete smile
• Support clearer speech
• Help prevent neighboring teeth from shifting
• Maintain proper bite alignment
• Provide a fixed alternative to a removable partial denture

Types of Dental Bridges

The appropriate bridge depends on the location of the missing tooth, the condition of the surrounding teeth, your bone support, and your long-term goals.

Traditional Dental Bridge

A traditional bridge uses crowns placed over the teeth on both sides of the gap. These crowns support the replacement tooth between them. This is one of the most common options when the neighboring teeth are strong enough to support the restoration.

Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever bridge is supported by a tooth on only one side of the missing space. It may be considered in select areas where support is available on just one side.

Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge uses a metal or ceramic framework bonded to the backs of neighboring teeth. Because it requires less alteration of the supporting teeth, it may be appropriate for certain front-tooth cases.

Implant-Supported Bridge

An implant-supported bridge attaches to dental implants instead of natural teeth. This approach may replace several adjacent teeth without placing crowns on neighboring healthy teeth. Learn more about dental implant restorations.

Who Is a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

A bridge may be appropriate if you are missing one or more teeth and have healthy supporting teeth or adequate support for dental implants. Healthy gums and consistent daily oral hygiene are also important for maintaining the restoration.

Before recommending treatment, Dr. Wagner will evaluate:

• The number and location of missing teeth
• The health of the neighboring teeth and gums
• Your bite and available space
• The strength of the supporting teeth
• Your bone levels if implants are being considered
• Your preferences, timeline, and treatment goals

What to Expect During the Dental Bridge Procedure

Evaluation and Treatment Planning

Your first visit includes an examination and any necessary digital X-rays. Dr. Wagner will assess the open space, supporting teeth, gums, and bite before reviewing the available replacement options.

Preparing the Supporting Teeth

For a traditional bridge, the teeth beside the gap are carefully reshaped to receive dental crowns. Local anesthetic is used to support your comfort during this process.

Capturing Your Impressions

Detailed impressions are needed to create a bridge that fits your bite. When appropriate, the practice can use iTero digital scanning to capture precise impressions without traditional impression material.

Wearing a Temporary Bridge

A temporary restoration may be placed to protect the prepared teeth while the dental laboratory creates your permanent bridge. Follow the care instructions provided by the team to avoid loosening or damaging the temporary restoration.

Placing the Final Bridge

Once the final bridge is ready, Dr. Wagner will evaluate its fit, appearance, and contact with your opposing teeth. Necessary adjustments are completed before the bridge is secured in place.

Experience and Technology Supporting Your Care

Dr. Wagner graduated from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 2021 and has practiced dentistry since then. He joined Kik Dental in 2022 and became the practice owner in 2025.

Dr. Wagner completes continuing education every month and uses intraoral scanners, digital impressions, and intraoral cameras to support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Learn more about Dr. Wagner on the Meet the Dentist page.

Dental Bridge Versus Dental Implant

Both treatments can replace missing teeth, but they use different forms of support. A traditional bridge relies on the neighboring teeth, while an implant replaces the missing tooth root and supports an individual crown or a larger restoration.

A bridge may offer a shorter treatment timeline and may be particularly useful when the neighboring teeth already require crowns. An implant can replace a tooth without reshaping adjacent healthy teeth, but it requires sufficient bone and additional healing time.

Dr. Wagner will review the health of your surrounding teeth, bone support, treatment timeline, and goals before recommending an option.

Caring for Your Dental Bridge

Daily care helps protect the teeth and gums supporting your bridge. Brush twice a day and clean beneath the replacement tooth with a floss threader, interdental brush, or another tool recommended by the dental team.

Regular dental cleanings and examinations allow the team to monitor the bridge, supporting teeth, gums, and bite. Avoid chewing ice or other very hard objects that could damage the restoration. If you clench or grind your teeth, Dr. Wagner may recommend a custom night guard.