What a dental bridge is and who it suits
A dental bridge is a fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth. It rests on the teeth beside the gap. Those supporting teeth, called abutments, are shaped and covered with crowns. The crowns are joined to an artificial tooth (the pontic) that fills the space. The whole unit is cemented in place, and only a dentist can remove it.
Bridges come in several designs:
- Conventional bridge: a crowned abutment on each side of the gap. This is the most common design.
- Cantilever bridge: supported on one side only. It is used only when specific conditions are met.
- Resin-bonded bridge: thin wings are bonded to the back of the neighbouring teeth. It removes much less tooth tissue but suits a limited range of cases.
- Implant-supported bridge: rests on implants rather than natural teeth, so no healthy teeth are cut.
Bridge or implant?
Neither option is right for everyone. A single implant leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched and passes chewing forces into the jawbone. It needs enough healthy bone, a minor surgical step and a longer timeline. A conventional bridge is usually completed sooner and needs no surgery. Its drawback is that the abutment teeth must be reshaped.
If the neighbouring teeth already have large fillings or crowns, crowning them for a bridge costs little extra tooth tissue. If they are healthy and untouched, many dentists weigh an implant or a resin-bonded design more seriously. A removable partial denture is another option. General health, gum condition, smoking and your own priorities also matter. Only an examination can show which options are realistic for you.
Signs that call for an examination — and when it is urgent
Book an assessment if you notice any of these:
- A gap left after an extraction, especially if the teeth beside it are starting to tilt or the opposite tooth is drifting into the space
- Difficulty chewing on one side, or food packing into a gap
- An existing bridge that feels loose, rocks or has chipped
- Bleeding gums, a bad taste or a bad smell around a bridge
- Pain, sensitivity or a swelling near one of the supporting teeth
Seek urgent care if you have facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever with dental pain. Call 911 or go to an emergency department. A tooth knocked out or broken by an injury also needs prompt attention.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
### 1. Examination and assessment of the abutment teeth The dentist checks the gap, the gums and the bite. X-rays help judge the roots and bone around the teeth that would carry the bridge. This is also when bridge, implant and denture options are discussed.
### 2. Preparing the mouth and treating the cause Decay, gum disease or an infected nerve should be treated before a bridge is made. A supporting tooth may need a filling or root canal treatment first.
### 3. Preparing the abutments, impression and temporary bridge Under local anaesthetic, a layer of each abutment tooth is removed so the crowns can fit over it. An impression or scan is then taken, and a temporary bridge protects the prepared teeth while the final one is made.
### 4. Fabrication and try-in The bridge is made to the impression. At the try-in, the dentist checks its fit, shade, contact with the gums and bite before final cementation.
### 5. Cementation and learning to clean under the bridge The bridge is cemented in place. You are then shown how to clean beneath the pontic, which is the part people most often neglect.
As general guidance from the ClinicsJo service catalogue, treatment often takes two to three visits over two to four weeks. The preparation visit takes about 75–120 minutes and the fitting about 30–60 minutes. Cases that need gum or root treatment first take longer.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Tabarbour
Everything in this section comes from the clinic's and dentist's records on ClinicsJo.
- Clinic: Arafat Dental Clinics, Tabarbour, Amman. Established in 2022 and verified by the platform.
- Services relevant to this page: Dental Bridges and Installation Of Fixed Teeth. The main services listed are dental implants, orthodontic braces, Hollywood Smile (veneers), teeth whitening and root canal treatment. The clinic publishes 120 services in total.
- Clinic description: preventive, restorative and cosmetic care, including zirconia and porcelain work and implants. Treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and patient needs. The team includes Dr Mohammad Arafat Hasan and Dr Alaa Fayez Hasan.
- Dentist: Dr Mohammad Arafat Hasan, 15 years of experience, verified by the platform. He holds a Bachelor of Oral and Dental Medicine and Surgery from Damascus University. His listed training includes an Advanced Implantology Course with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) in 2018. It also includes Clear Aligners (Invisalign) Certification from Align Technology Academy in 2020 and Microscope-Assisted Endodontics with the Jordanian Academy of Dentistry in 2022. His biography mentions dental practice in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
- Services he provides: these include dental prosthetics, implants, root canal treatment, gum treatment, dental X-rays and dental emergencies. Tooth loss and the need for crowns and bridges are among the conditions listed.
- Languages: Arabic and English.
- Consultation: the record lists the first consultation as free.
- Reviews: the dentist's profile shows 3 approved reviews and the clinic's shows 2, each averaging 5. That is a small number of reviews, so use them alongside your own consultation.
The record does not name the bridge materials used in each case or the laboratory involved. Ask about these directly.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Which options suit my gap: a conventional, cantilever or resin-bonded bridge, an implant, or a partial denture? Why?
- How healthy are the abutment teeth, and how much of each will be removed?
- Do I need a filling, root canal or gum treatment first?
- What material do you recommend for my bridge, and why?
- How many visits will it take, and how long will I wear a temporary?
- How should I clean under the pontic, and which aids should I use?
- What happens if the bridge loosens or a supporting tooth develops a problem later?
- What will the full plan cost? The cost depends on the examination and plan; ask before starting.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
Some sensitivity in the supporting teeth after cementation is common and usually settles. Report pain that persists or worsens, or a bite that feels high.
Cleaning is what most protects a bridge. Bacteria collect under the pontic and at the edges of the crowns, and decay or gum disease there is a main reason bridges fail. A daily routine might include:
- Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, paying attention to the gumline around the abutments
- Cleaning under the pontic once a day with a floss threader, bridge floss or a small interdental brush, as your dentist shows you
- Regular check-ups and professional cleaning at the intervals your dentist advises
Avoid biting very hard objects such as ice or nut shells on the bridge. If you grind your teeth at night, ask whether a night guard would help protect it.
A bridge is not permanent. How long it lasts depends on your oral hygiene, your bite and the health of the supporting teeth. No dentist can guarantee a specific lifespan.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
Arafat Dental Clinics is at Journalists Roundabout (دوار الصحفيين), Al Tamimi Complex, first floor, in Tabarbour, Amman.
Confirmed opening hours are Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday is not listed, so check before planning a Friday visit.
Use the contact button on this page to book. Mention that you are asking about a missing tooth or a bridge, and bring any recent dental X-rays you have.