It takes two appointments to replace a missing front tooth with a three-unit bridge. That's because a bridge is custom-crafted in a dental laboratory to precisely fit your teeth. To make the entire procedure comfortable for you, the first thing your dentist will do is make sure you're thoroughly numb. Then any decay is removed, and the teeth are shaped with the handpiece. Sometimes, to make a more accurate impression, a small piece of string is placed in the space between the tooth and the gums. This gently pushes the gums away from the tooth.

Impressions give an accurate working model of your mouth, including the prepared teeth. This lets your dentist re-create your natural bite. For the week or two that it takes the dental lab to fabricate your new bridge, you'll have a temporary bridge in your mouth.

At your next visit, the temporary bridge will be removed and you'll try out your new bridge. Your dentist will check the fit and your bite. When everything looks good, your new bridge is cemented in place.