Losing a tooth can be a traumatic experience—especially if the empty space it leaves is visible when you smile. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, however, today’s false teeth can look and feel just like the real thing.

A fixed bridge is a way of replacing a missing tooth that uses the teeth on either side of the lost one as anchors to hold the replacement tooth in place. To form the bridge, the two teeth must be fitted for crowns, which are crafted in a lab along with the new tooth. The three parts are joined by a supporting frame to form a single unit that is then bonded to the anchor teeth.

Bridges are permanent, stable, comfortable, and, in most cases, completely natural-looking. They are not the best option, however, if more than three teeth in a row are missing, the anchor teeth are not solid, or the anchor teeth are in virgin condition. In such cases, dentures or implants may be a better option.