Losing teeth can be a stressful experience that can impact our self-confidence, speech, and ability to chew food properly. Henderson Family Dental offers many restorative dental services to close the gap left by missing teeth. A dental bridge is a popular and effective option. Our dental team can provide a custom dental bridge in Dallas, TX, that will blend in naturally with your surrounding teeth.
What is a Dental Bridge, and How Does it Work?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic dental device we use to replace one or more missing teeth. It works by using two or more crowns on the teeth next to the gap to act as supports. Between these crowns, we place false teeth (pontics) to fill the empty space. The number of pontics depends on how many teeth are missing.
The dental bridge uses abutment teeth as anchors to support the pontic. The dentist will cement the dental crowns onto the abutment teeth, ensuring a secure and stable fit for the pontic. This design allows the dental bridge to function like real teeth, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile confidently. We can also use dental implants to support this type of dental restoration.
The dentist cements the crowns onto the neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place. This makes the bridge feel and work like real teeth. You’ll be able to chew, speak, and smile with confidence after getting a dental bridge. In some cases, we can also use dental implants instead of natural teeth to support the bridge.
Types of Dental Bridges: Traditional, Cantilever, and Maryland
While dental bridges serve the same purpose, they come in different types to accommodate different dental cases. Here are the three main types of dental bridges:
- Traditional Dental Bridge: This is the most common bridge. It involves creating crowns for the abutment teeth. A traditional bridge has abutment teeth on both sides of gap, with the pontic between them.
- Cantilever Dental Bridge: We use this type of bridge when an adjacent tooth is on only one side of the missing tooth gap. Your dentist will anchor the crown to a single abutment tooth, creating a cantilever design. The downside of this type of bridge is it only uses support from one side of the tooth gap.
- Maryland Dental Bridge: Also called a resin-bonded bridge, a Maryland bridge is a more conservative treatment option. Instead of using crowns to place and support the prosthetic, we use metal or ceramic wings to hold a false tooth in place. The dentist will secure the wings to the abutment teeth, supporting the pontic in the middle.
What is an Implant-Supported Bridge?
An implant-supported bridge is a great option for replacing multiple missing teeth. Unlike a traditional bridge that relies on nearby teeth for support, this type is anchored with dental implants. The implants provide a solid foundation for the bridge without harming neighboring teeth.
The process starts with surgically placing the implants into the jaw. The bone will fuse with the implants to keep them firmly in place. This helps prevent the bone loss that often happens when teeth are missing. The implants will encourage healthy bone growth and keep the natural shape of your face.
An implant-supported bridge might be the best option for a patient that has lost several teeth in a row. It provides better chewing power than traditional options, making it easier to eat a variety of foods. It also prevents the slurring or difficulty speaking that can come with missing teeth. The bridge will feel like a part of your mouth and doesn’t shift like removable options.
Another big advantage is that an implant-supported bridge doesn’t need modifying healthy teeth. Traditional bridges need the nearby teeth to be reshaped and capped with crowns. This can weaken them over time. Implants allow us to replace missing teeth without putting extra stress on surrounding teeth.
This type of restoration can make a difference in your overall oral health and confidence. If you’re missing multiple teeth, an implant-supported bridge can be the best solution for you that keeps your smile strong and healthy.
Benefits of Implant Bridges
Implant-supported dental bridges offer many benefits, including:
- Permanent Results: After they heal, your implant posts will stay permanently in your mouth. Implant dentures can last for decades with the right care. Traditional dentures may need replacement every 5-10 years.
- Improved Fit: Implant dentures securely anchor to dental implants surgically placed in the jawbone. This eliminates issues like slipping or clicking associated with traditional dentures. The implant bridge will feel more natural and stable.
- Full Bite Function: Implant dentures make it easier to eat hard and crunchy foods because they attach to your mouth. Implant dentures are better for biting than regular dentures since they don’t move around while you eat.
- Jawbone Support: Dental implants blend with your jawbone to keep your bone healthy and strong. This stops bone loss that can happen with regular dentures and keeps your face looking its best.
Getting Dental Bridges
If you get a traditional dental bridge, we will first ensure you are in good oral health. Then, we will prepare the natural teeth on either side of your missing tooth gap. We remove part of the tooth enamel to prepare the teeth for the dental crowns.
Then, we take impressions of your mouth to create custom crowns and bridges. In the meantime, we will provide a temporary restoration. Once we get your restoration from the dental lab, we will ensure it fits you properly.
If you want a longer-lasting option, we will recommend an implant-supported bridge. We will help ensure you are a good candidate for dental implants before treatment. You must be in good oral health and have enough healthy jaw bone to support the implant posts. We may recommend grafting to build up healthy jaw bone in your mouth.
Once you are healthy, an oral surgeon places the implant posts. It takes a little bit of time for your mouth to adjust to these posts as your natural jaw bone grows around them.
You will return to our office after 3 to 6 months of healing at home. Then we will place the abutments that connect the implant posts to your bridge. Finally, we will attach your final bridge to the abutments. You will have a functional replacement that looks real, lasts, and keeps you healthy.
Restore Your Missing Teeth
If you need a dental bridge in Dallas, TX, please get in touch with Henderson Family Dental today. You can reach our dental practice by calling 214-253-4868 or request an appointment online.