---
title: "What Is Abutment tooth? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "An abutment tooth is a natural tooth, or an implant, that supports one end of a dental bridge or a partial denture."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/abutment-tooth
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Dentures and Bridges

# Abutment tooth

An abutment tooth is a natural tooth, or an implant, that supports one end of a dental bridge or a partial denture.

A bridge needs something to hold it up. The teeth on each side of the gap are the abutment teeth. The dentist usually reshapes them and places crowns on them. The crowns join to the false tooth, called a [pontic](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pontic), in between. Cleveland Clinic says abutments are the structures that support your dental bridge. Because abutment teeth carry extra load, they must be healthy, with strong roots and gums. Careful cleaning around them is important to avoid decay and gum disease. When a bridge is supported by dental implants, the implants take the place of the natural abutment teeth. Do not confuse this with an [implant abutment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/implant-abutment), which is a connector piece. See [dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-bridge) and our [dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bridge) page.

[Town Center Dental can helpDental Bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bridge)

## Related terms

-   [Pontic](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pontic)
-   [Dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-bridge)
-   [Implant abutment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/implant-abutment)
-   [Dental crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-crown)
-   [Cantilever bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/cantilever-bridge)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Dental Bridges: Types & Who Needs Them](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10921-dental-bridges)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)