The dental bridge fills the gap between two healthy teeth where one or more teeth are missing. A gap from a missing tooth will eventually cause the abutting teeth to rotate or shift into the empty space. This can lead to misaligned teeth, which can cause gum disease, temporomandibular joint disorders, or other problems. At the first appointment, your doctor applies a numbing agent to the area to prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. These teeth will become the support structure for the bridge. Then your doctor uses an intraoral scanner to aid in designing the final restoration. The images and information are sent to a dental laboratory where an expert technician fabricates your custom bridge. A temporary is placed over the prepared teeth to protect them while you wait for the custom bridge to be made. When your permanent bridge is ready, your doctor removes the temporary one, makes final adjustments, and cements it into place. Getting a bridge is a common procedure that can protect your teeth for years and restore them to optimal function and appearance.