Resin-bonded bridges (RBBs) have an important role to play in the minimally invasive prosthodontic replacement of missing teeth. This treatment modality is perceived to have a high clinical failure rate by some practitioners, which may be associated with poorly planned and executed designs and adhesive techniques. This paper, the first part of a two-part series, discusses the important planning stages in the successful provision of RBBs, including assessment, appropriate abutment selection and design considerations. The second part of this series will focus on the clinical stages of RBB provision. Clinical relevance: This paper aims to provide the general dental practitioner with a guide to appropriate case selection and an overview of the planning stages involved for the provision of RBBs.