Restore Your Smile, Comfort, and Confidence with Rockville Family Dental
Missing a tooth changes more than how you look. It can make chewing harder, affect how you speak, and even cause nearby teeth to shift. Over time, that can lead to jaw problems, uneven wear, and more dental work than you planned for.
At Rockville Family Dental, we help people across North Bethesda, Rockville, Bethesda, White Flint, Twinbrook, and surrounding areas replace missing teeth with natural-looking, long-lasting dental bridges. Our goal is simple. Help you eat comfortably, smile with confidence, and protect your oral health for years to come.
If you’re tired of hiding your smile or avoiding certain foods, you’re not alone. Many of our patients come in feeling the same way. And most leave wondering why they waited so long.
Let’s walk through what dental bridges are, how they work, and whether one might be right for you.
A dental bridge is a fixed tooth replacement that fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth. It quite literally bridges the space between healthy teeth or dental implants.
Each bridge is made of artificial teeth called pontics, which are supported by either natural teeth or implants on each side of the gap. Once placed, it stays in your mouth. You don’t remove it like a denture.
People choose dental bridges because they:
Look and feel like natural teeth
Stay securely in place
Make eating easier
Improve speech
Prevent nearby teeth from shifting
Support your face shape
Protect your bite alignment
If you live in North Bethesda or nearby neighborhoods like Grosvenor, Kensington, or Aspen Hill, dental bridges are one of the most common and reliable ways to restore a missing tooth without surgery.
A lot of people assume one missing tooth isn’t a big deal. But here’s what often happens when a gap is left untreated:
Nearby teeth start leaning into the empty space.
Your bite slowly changes.
Chewing becomes uneven.
Food gets trapped more easily.
Your jaw can begin to shift.
Speech may sound different.
Over time, this can lead to jaw pain, worn-down teeth, and gum problems.
This is why dentists strongly recommend replacing missing teeth, not just for appearance, but for your long-term oral health.
Every smile is different. That’s why we don’t push a one-size-fits-all approach. At our North Bethesda-area dental office, we offer several types of bridges depending on your needs, bite, and goals.
Traditional Dental Bridges
This is the most common type. The artificial tooth is held in place by crowns on the natural teeth next to the gap.
Best for:
People with strong, healthy teeth on both sides of the missing tooth.
Cantilever Bridges
Used when there is only one supporting tooth next to the gap.
Best for:
Certain front-tooth cases where bite pressure is lighter.
Maryland Bonded Bridges
These use a metal or ceramic framework bonded to the back of nearby teeth.
Best for:
Younger patients or cases where minimal tooth preparation is preferred.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Instead of using natural teeth for support, these bridges are anchored to dental implants.
Best for:
People missing several teeth in a row or those wanting the most stable option.
Materials We Offer
We customize every bridge using high-quality materials such as:
Porcelain
Ceramic
Zirconia
Metal-supported frameworks
These materials are chosen for durability, comfort, and natural appearance.
If you’ve never had a dental bridge before, it’s normal to feel unsure. Here’s what usually happens.
Step 1: Consultation and Exam
We start with a full dental exam, digital X-rays, and a conversation about your goals. We look at your bite, jaw alignment, gum health, and surrounding teeth.
If you’re visiting us from places like Pike and Rose, Westfield Montgomery Mall, or near the Strathmore Music Center, we make scheduling easy.
Step 2: Tooth Preparation
If you’re getting a traditional bridge, the supporting teeth are gently shaped so the crowns can fit properly. We keep this conservative and precise.
Step 3: Digital Impressions
We use modern intraoral scanners and 3D imaging to take accurate digital impressions. No messy trays.
Step 4: Temporary Bridge
While your custom bridge is being made, we place a temporary one so you can eat, smile, and speak comfortably.
Step 5: Final Placement
Once your permanent bridge is ready, we check the fit, color, and bite. Then we permanently cement it into place.
We also make small bite adjustments so everything feels natural.
This is one of the biggest questions we hear.
Most people say their bridge feels strange for a few days. That’s normal. Your mouth is adjusting.
After that, it usually feels like part of your natural smile. You can eat normally, speak clearly, and smile without thinking about it.
Many of our patients from North Bethesda, Garrett Park, and Wheaton tell us they forget they even have a bridge.
Dental bridges do more than fill a gap.
They help:
Restore normal chewing
Improve speech
Prevent shifting teeth
Maintain jaw alignment
Support facial structure
Keep your bite stable
Protect surrounding teeth
Boost confidence
They’re also a quicker solution than implants for many people.
You might be wondering how bridges compare to other treatments.
Bridges vs Dental Implants
Implants are surgically placed into the jawbone. Bridges are not.
Bridges:
Are faster
Cost less upfront
Don’t require surgery
Work well for many people
Implants:
Last longer
Preserve bone better
Stand alone
We’ll help you decide what’s best based on your needs.
Dentures are removable. Bridges are fixed.
Bridges:
Feel more natural
Don’t move
Are easier to get used to
Don’t need to be removed at night
You may be a good candidate if:
You’re missing one or more teeth
Your gums are healthy
Supporting teeth are strong
You want a fixed solution
You prefer a faster option than implants
If gum disease or bone loss is present, we may treat that first.
Choosing a dentist isn’t just about procedures. It’s about trust.
At Rockville Family Dental, we’re a family-focused, community-based dental practice serving patients of all ages. Many of our patients come from North Bethesda, Rockville, Bethesda, Twinbrook, White Flint, and Potomac.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Licensed dentists in Maryland
Strong focus on restorative dentistry
Advanced digital technology
Gentle care approach
High-quality materials
Clear explanations
Honest recommendations
Family-friendly environment
Flexible scheduling
Emergency care available
We don’t rush appointments. We don’t talk over you. And we don’t recommend things you don’t need.
We listen first.
The cost of a dental bridge depends on:
Number of missing teeth
Type of bridge
Materials used
Supporting teeth condition
Insurance coverage
We accept most major insurance plans and offer clear pricing. Our team will explain everything before any work begins.
No surprises.
A bridge can last many years with proper care.
Here’s what we recommend:
Brush twice a day
Floss daily
Use special floss under the bridge
Get regular cleanings
Avoid chewing ice
Don’t use teeth as tools
We’ll show you exactly how to keep your bridge clean.
With proper care, a dental bridge can last 10 to 15 years, sometimes longer. We’ve seen many last well beyond that.
Longevity depends on:
Daily brushing and flossing
Regular cleanings
Avoiding hard or sticky foods
Not using teeth as tools
Keeping gums healthy
During your routine visits, we’ll check your bridge, your bite, and the surrounding teeth to catch small issues before they turn into big ones.
You’re not alone. Many people wait months or even years before replacing a missing tooth.
If that’s you, here’s what we’ll look at:
Has the gap changed your bite?
Have nearby teeth shifted?
Is there bone loss?
Are your gums healthy?
Even if it’s been a while, you may still be a candidate for a dental bridge. If something needs to be treated first, like gum disease or bone loss, we’ll walk you through that step by step.
Your gums play a huge role in the success of your bridge.
Healthy gums:
Support the bridge
Keep bacteria out
Prevent decay
Protect your jawbone
If you have signs of gum disease, such as bleeding gums or tenderness, we’ll treat that first. A bridge placed on unhealthy gums won’t last.
Most people go back to eating normally once they’ve adjusted.
For the first few days:
Stick to softer foods
Avoid chewing on the bridge side if possible
Skip sticky or hard foods
After that, you can usually enjoy everything you did before. Apples, sandwiches, steak, crunchy vegetables. No problem.
Missing teeth can change how you pronounce certain words. A bridge often fixes that.
Some people notice slight speech changes for a day or two. Then everything returns to normal.
Getting a dental bridge isn’t something you do every day. You want a dentist who understands not just the procedure, but the people they’re serving.
At Rockville Family Dental, we treat patients from:
North Bethesda
Rockville
Bethesda
Twinbrook
White Flint
Grosvenor
Kensington
Aspen Hill
Wheaton
Potomac
Whether you’re coming in after work near Pike & Rose, from school near Walter Johnson High School, or running errands near Westfield Montgomery Mall, we aim to make your visits easy and stress-free.
A bridge should blend in. No one should be able to tell which tooth is the replacement.
We use:
Shade-matching tools
High-quality porcelain and ceramic
Digital imaging
Precise bite registration
We also take time to shape and polish your bridge so it fits your smile, not just your mouth.
We see this all the time:
Waiting Too Long
The longer a gap stays open, the more shifting happens.
Skipping Flossing
Bridges still need daily cleaning underneath.
Ignoring Gum Health
Inflamed gums can shorten the life of a bridge.
Chewing Ice or Hard Objects
This can damage even strong materials.
We’ll show you exactly how to care for your bridge.
Most people are surprised by how comfortable the process is.
We use:
Gentle techniques
Local anesthesia
Modern tools
Careful bite adjustments
You may feel mild soreness after preparation, but that usually fades quickly.
If you’re anxious, tell us. We’ll help.
If your bridge feels high, tight, or uncomfortable, don’t ignore it.
A small bite issue can turn into jaw pain or headaches.
We adjust bridges carefully and follow up as needed. Your comfort matters.
If you’re tired of dealing with a missing tooth, a dental bridge may be the simple, reliable solution you’ve been looking for.
At Rockville Family Dental, we focus on comfort, clarity, and results that last.
We proudly serve patients from North Bethesda, Rockville, Bethesda, Twinbrook, White Flint, and surrounding communities.
Call us today or request an appointment online. Let’s talk about what’s going on with your smile and what we can do to fix it.
You deserve to eat, speak, and smile without hesitation.
Call a dentist for:
Tooth pain
Broken teeth
Lost fillings
Abscesses
Swelling
Go to the ER for:
Heavy bleeding
Broken jaw
Serious head injury
Trouble breathing
*A detailed exam and 3D imaging (CBCT) help us determine the exact treatment needed.
The cost depends on the type of bridge, materials used, and how many teeth are being replaced. Traditional bridges usually cost less than implant-supported bridges. We review all pricing before treatment and help you understand your insurance benefits.
No. A properly made bridge should blend in with your natural teeth. We use porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia materials and custom shade matching to make your bridge look natural.
Yes. After a short adjustment period, most people return to their regular diet. We recommend avoiding chewing ice or very hard foods.
Most bridges take about two to three visits. You’ll wear a temporary bridge while your permanent one is made.
You’ll need to brush twice a day and floss daily, including under the bridge. We’ll show you how to do this easily.
If your teeth or gums need treatment first, we’ll address that before placing a bridge. In some cases, implants or partial dentures may be better options.
It depends. Bridges are faster and don’t require surgery. Implants last longer and preserve bone. We’ll help you choose what fits your goals and budget.