A missing tooth creates more problems than a gap in your smile. Over time, surrounding teeth can drift into the open space, bite alignment shifts, and bone loss begins in the area where the root used to be. A dental bridge stops that process by filling the gap with a fixed, custom-made artificial tooth anchored to the teeth on either side. Once placed, a bridge functions and looks like a natural tooth.
At Cedar Pearl Dental in Crestview, FL, Dr. White designs and places dental bridges that are matched to the shape and color of your existing teeth. Patients throughout Okaloosa County, including families near Eglin Air Force Base, choose our practice for restorative care that prioritizes long-term function over quick fixes. According to the American Dental Association, a fixed bridge is one of the most reliable solutions for replacing one or more missing teeth.
Dr. White may recommend a bridge when you have one or more missing teeth and healthy anchor teeth on either side that can support the bridge structure. A bridge is often the fastest path to a complete, functional smile — finished in about two appointments without the months-long healing phase that implants require.
Getting a bridge at Cedar Pearl Dental typically involves two appointments. Here is what to expect at each stage:
Both bridges and implants permanently replace missing teeth, but they work differently. Dr. White reviews both options honestly based on your specific situation — Cedar Pearl Dental handles both procedures in-house, so you never need a referral regardless of which path you choose.
| Dental Bridge | Dental Implant | |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 2 appointments, ~2 weeks | 3–6 months total |
| Affects adjacent teeth? | Yes — reshaping required | No effect on neighbors |
| Preserves jawbone | No | Yes |
| Lifespan | 10–15+ years | Lifetime (post) |
| Surgery required? | No | Yes |
With proper care, a dental bridge typically lasts 10 to 15 years — and often longer. The most important factor is cleaning under the bridge daily with a floss threader or water flosser, which prevents decay at the gum line where the bridge meets the anchor teeth. Avoiding hard or sticky foods and attending regular checkups extend bridge life significantly.
For military families at Eglin Air Force Base, addressing a missing tooth before deployment prevents more complicated problems down the road. Cedar Pearl Dental works to accommodate bridge treatment within deployment windows when possible, including completing preparatory work and final placement in a compressed timeline. Our in-house membership plan and financing through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit make bridges accessible for patients with limited or no dental insurance.
Dr. White places dental bridges at Cedar Pearl Dental for patients missing one or more teeth throughout Crestview and Okaloosa County. He handles every step in-house — from preparing the abutment teeth and taking impressions through placing the final bridge — so patients never need to travel to a specialist.
He reviews both bridge and implant options honestly based on your specific situation, so you can make an informed choice that fits your needs and budget. Cedar Pearl Dental performs both procedures in-house.
From your first consultation to your ongoing care, we’re committed to providing you with exceptional dental services in a welcoming environment.
Conveniently located in crestview, FL
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OPENING HOURS
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (every second Saturday only)
Sunday: Closed
