Dental Bridges – Richardson, TX

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge consists of one or more false teeth called pontics, which lie in between two crowns. The pontics and crowns can be made up of many different materials, but we’ll typically use porcelain or similar ceramics because of how closely they can be made to resemble real teeth. Before you receive a dental bridge, we’ll remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth on either side of the gap; this creates enough room for the crowns to be placed on top. Your natural teeth will give your dental bridge the support it needs for biting and chewing.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge may be a good option for anyone who is missing up to three consecutive teeth. Of course, before you can get a bridge, your remaining teeth will need to be strong and healthy in order to support it. Also, if you have gum disease, it needs to be treated before your bridge can be placed.

If you’re considering a bridge retained by dental implants, we’ll need to make sure your jawbone has enough density for a successful surgery. Lost density can be regained with a bone grafting procedure.

Benefits of a Dental Bridge

• Beautiful Smile: You can get rid of the gap in your grin using a natural-looking prosthetic that will blend in with the rest of your natural teeth.
• A Healthier Bite: Replacing your missing tooth will ensure that the forces of your bite will continue to be distributed correctly so that they don’t wear down as quickly.
• Hold Your Teeth in Place: Teeth tend to shift when one is missing, but you can avoid such complications by holding them in place with a bridge.

Bridges and Dental Implants

If you don’t want to make changes to your remaining healthy teeth, there’s a way you can get a dental bridge while also preserving your enamel. We can place two dental implant posts into your jaw that can serve as the “roots” for your false teeth. In many cases, this is the healthier alternative; not only does it avoid weakening your natural teeth, but it strengthens your jawbone by preventing or reversing the bone loss that occurs once you’ve lost a tooth.