Reviewed by Dr. Irina Starik, DMD

Dental Bridges

Dental Bridges in Cresskill, NJ

At Starik Dental Studio, replacing missing teeth is about more than filling a gap. It is about restoring your bite, your smile, and your confidence. A dental bridge closes the space left by one or more missing teeth with custom restorations that look and function like natural teeth. Dr. Irina Starik brings more than fifteen years of experience and a patient-first philosophy to every restorative treatment, providing personalized care to Bergen County patients in a calm, comfortable, boutique-style setting designed around you.

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Why Replace Missing Teeth?

A missing tooth affects far more than your appearance. Gaps can make it harder to chew and speak, place extra strain on surrounding teeth, and allow neighboring teeth to shift out of position over time. A dental bridge restores function and helps maintain the alignment of your bite, protecting your long-term oral health while giving you back a complete smile.

Restoring Function and Confidence

A complete smile changes how you eat, speak, and feel about yourself. A well-crafted bridge lets you bite and chew comfortably again while blending seamlessly with your natural teeth. Dr. Starik customizes every restoration to your smile, so your bridge looks natural and supports both your appearance and your long-term oral health.

The Dental Bridge Process

Getting a dental bridge is a straightforward process that we guide you through from start to finish. It begins with a thorough evaluation, where Dr. Starik examines the gap and the surrounding teeth, takes any necessary images, and confirms that a bridge is the right choice for you. At your preparation appointment, the supporting teeth are gently shaped to make room for the bridge, and we capture digital impressions so your restoration fits precisely. While your custom bridge is being crafted, you are fitted with a temporary one so you can eat and smile comfortably in the meantime. When your permanent bridge is ready, we check the fit and your bite carefully, then bond it securely into place. Most patients leave feeling at ease, knowing exactly what was done and how to care for their restored smile.

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Senior woman holding a dental appliance and smiling during a consultation

Are You a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a great option for many people missing one or more teeth, but the right solution always starts with an evaluation. The strongest candidates have healthy teeth on either side of the gap to support the bridge, or implants that can serve the same purpose, along with healthy gums and good overall oral health. If a supporting tooth is weak or your gums need attention first, Dr. Starik will address that before moving forward, and she may also discuss alternatives like dental implants or dentures if they better fit your situation. The best way to know whether a bridge is right for you is a consultation, where we examine your smile, review your goals, and recommend the option that will serve you well for years to come.

Dental Bridges Tailored To Your Smile

No two smiles are alike, and your tooth replacement should reflect that. At Starik Dental Studio, we design every dental bridge around your individual needs, considering the location of the gap, the health of your surrounding teeth, and how your bite comes together. The result is a restoration that fits comfortably, functions well, and blends naturally with the rest of your smile.

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Custom Dental Bridges

Each bridge is custom-crafted to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. The result is a durable restoration that restores your bite and blends seamlessly into your smile.

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Bridges Versus Other Options

A bridge is one of several ways to replace missing teeth, alongside options like dental implants and dentures. Dr. Starik will discuss the pros and cons of each so you can choose the solution that best fits your needs and goals.

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Natural-Looking Results

The goal of a bridge is a restoration that looks and feels like it has always been there. We carefully match the shade and contours of your bridge so your completed smile looks natural, never artificial.

Types of Dental Bridges

A dental bridge replaces a missing tooth with an artificial tooth, called a pontic, that is held in place by the teeth or implants beside the gap. Depending on your situation, the options may include:

  • Traditional bridge: crowns on the teeth on both sides of the gap, with the pontic between them. This is the most common type.
  • Cantilever bridge: supported by a tooth on only one side of the gap, used in limited situations because it places more force on that tooth.
  • Maryland bridge: the pontic is bonded to the back of the neighboring teeth, which can preserve more of their structure but may not hold up as well to heavy chewing.
  • Implant-supported bridge: anchored to dental implants rather than natural teeth, which can be helpful when several teeth in a row are missing.

Dr. Starik will recommend the type that fits the location of your gap, your bite, and the health of the supporting teeth.

Caring for Your Dental Bridge

A bridge is only as healthy as the teeth that support it, so daily cleaning matters. The American Dental Association notes that a bridge's success depends on the foundation beneath it, which means keeping your remaining teeth and gums healthy. Brush twice a day, clean under the artificial tooth with a floss threader, interdental brush, or water flosser, and keep up with regular checkups and cleanings. During the first days after placement, it is normal to feel some sensitivity as your bite adjusts, and softer foods can help. Let us know if your bite ever feels off.

What Affects the Cost of a Dental Bridge?

The cost depends on the type of bridge, the materials used, and how many teeth are being replaced. Preparing the supporting teeth and any treatment needed first can also play a role. Because a bridge restores function, dental insurance may cover part of the cost depending on your plan. We are an out-of-network practice that files PPO claims on your behalf, and we will review your options, financing, and our in-house membership plan with you before treatment begins. To talk through your options, request a dental bridge consultation or call (201) 568-6688.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not sure what to expect from a dental bridge? Here are honest answers to the questions our patients ask most often, so you can feel informed and ready before your visit to Starik Dental Studio.

How can I book a dental bridge consultation in Cresskill?

You can schedule a consultation by calling or texting our Cresskill office at (201) 568-6688, or by filling out the contact form on our website. Our team will help you find a time that works and walk you through what to expect before your visit.

A dental bridge is a custom restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the natural teeth or dental implants on either side of the gap. It restores both the appearance and function of your smile, allowing you to bite, chew, and speak with confidence again.

With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, a dental bridge can last many years, and often a decade or more. Caring for both the bridge and the teeth that support it, including cleaning under the bridge every day, along with routine checkups, helps protect your restoration and extend its lifespan.

In the best way. Once your bridge is in place and your bite is adjusted, most patients find it much easier to chew and speak than they did with a gap. There may be a brief adjustment period as you get used to the restoration, but it is designed to feel and function like your natural teeth.

The main types are traditional bridges, cantilever bridges, Maryland bridges, and implant-supported bridges. Traditional bridges are the most common. The right type depends on where the gap is, how your teeth come together, and the health of the supporting teeth, and Dr. Starik will recommend the best fit at your consultation.

It depends on your situation. A bridge is usually completed in fewer visits and does not require surgery, but it relies on the neighboring teeth for support. A dental implant replaces the tooth root and does not depend on the neighboring teeth, but it requires healthy bone and a longer treatment timeline. Dr. Starik will walk you through both options.

Many dental plans cover part of the cost of a bridge because it restores function, but coverage varies by plan. We are an out-of-network practice that will file PPO claims on your behalf, and we will review your estimate, financing, and our in-house membership plan with you before you begin.

Ready to Love Your Smile?

Schedule your appointment today and experience personalized dental care that puts your comfort first. Healthy teeth. Confident you.

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Meet Dr. Irina Starik

Dr. Irina Starik leads Starik Dental Studio in Cresskill, NJ, with more than 15 years of hands-on experience in general and cosmetic dentistry. Her approach favors precision over excess: enhancing a smile, never over-correcting one.

Meet Dr. Starik

Welcoming New Patients

Out-of-Network Care, With Your Benefits in Mind

As an out-of-network practice, we file your PPO claims on your behalf and help you make use of the benefits you have. You remain responsible for any balance your plan does not cover, and we review costs with you before treatment begins.

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Discover Our Dental Services

Every service at our practice is planned around your goals and your long-term oral health.

Visit Starik Dental Studio

Our boutique office is in Cresskill, NJ, and we welcome patients from Demarest, Tenafly, Alpine, Englewood Cliffs, Closter, and the surrounding Bergen County area.

Starik Dental Studio
300 Knickerbocker Road, Suite 2300
Cresskill, NJ 07626
(201) 568-6688

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