Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 481-1041
Dental Bridges – Grapevine, TX
Recreate Your Smile
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly one quarter (about 26%) of individuals aged 65 or older have 8 or fewer teeth. It’s also estimated that at least 69% of Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 are missing at least one tooth. With these kinds of statistics, it should come as no surprise that dental bridges in Grapevine are a welcomed relief to patients suffering from tooth loss. As a tried-and-true form of tooth replacement, these restorations can recreate your smile and ensure a brighter future. Call us today to learn more from one of our talented team members at Smiles by Martin.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A bridge is the most conventional treatment to replace 1 to 3 consecutive missing teeth. Dr. Martin takes a digital impression of your mouth to create prosthetic teeth. They are designed to match the appearance of your natural ones to blend in seamlessly when you smile. To hold the bridge in place, custom-made dental crowns are bonded to your adjacent teeth.
This gives you an affordable and effective solution to regain a complete smile. With the right aftercare, your bridge can last an average of 5 years before needing to be replaced. If you prefer a long-lasting solution, ask Dr. Martin about the benefits of an implant-supported bridge.
Types of Dental Bridges
Although a fixed dental bridge is the most common, you can also inquire about an implant bridge. Much of your choice will be dependent on the state of your oral and overall health, your jawbone density, and your budget.
Traditional Dental Bridge
With a fixed dental bridge, it is a much less invasive procedure that only requires altering healthy abutment teeth and creating a bridge restoration that will rest atop your gums. Once the exterior crowns are secured over the tops of your healthy teeth, the pontics (artificial teeth) will fill in the gap to create a complete smile that works like normal.
Implant Bridge
Instead of altering healthy teeth, an implant bridge uses two dental implant posts that are placed within the sockets and fuse with the bone. This creates a solid foundation for your new bridge, which will be attached to the posts via metal abutments, which are small connector appliances. Once in place, you will be able to eat and speak like normal and enjoy a longer-lasting smile of 30+ years.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge?
Whether you choose a fixed or implant bridge, many great benefits come with these restorations. Not only will you experience the chance to enjoy a full smile once again, but you’ll also:
- Speak clearly without slurring your words
- Enjoy improved confidence that comes from liking the way you look and feel
- A restoration that can last 10+ years (fixed) or 30+ years (implant)
- Teeth that look natural and blend in beautifully with remaining healthy teeth
- Improved oral health because you worry less about dental drift and the potential for orthodontic treatment in the future
Dental Bridges FAQs
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
Before preparing your teeth to support a bridge, your dentist will numb the teeth that they will be working on. Usually, all this takes is a topical anesthetic, but severely anxious patients may benefit from dental sedation. After the tooth has been reprepared and the dental bridge has been placed, the underlying tooth may feel sensitive for a few days. This can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, but feel free to give us a call if the discomfort worsens so we can help. Since bridges keep your remaining teeth from shifting out of place, they can actually prevent discomfort in the future!
How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last?
On average, you can respect your bridge to last between 5 and 15 years. However, this varies on multiple factors. The longevity of your bridge can depend on your diet, oral hygiene, and whether you have any bad oral habits. Bridges that replace the front teeth may last slightly longer than those in the back of the mouth, as they aren’t subjected to as much wear and tear from frequent chewing. Bridges supported by dental implants are likely to last longer than traditional bridges. While the restoration itself needs to be replaced eventually, the implant posts remain in place for many years to come!
Is a Partial Denture the Same as a Bridge?
Sometimes, partial dentures are referred to as “removable bridges,” but they aren’t the same thing as a traditional fixed bridge. A bridge is designed to stay in place for many years and can only be removed by a dentist, but a patient is able to remove their partial denture at any time. The other main difference is that bridges can only replace consecutive missing teeth, but partials can bring back several teeth as various points along an arch. Bridges are anchored via crowns that are fitted over two of the remaining teeth, while partials typically use metal clips or clasps that go behind the natural teeth.
Do Dental Bridges Look Natural?
Metal-free bridges are made from natural-looking materials that can be color-matched to your other teeth. These materials look remarkable like tooth enamel, even in the way that light bounces off of them. Once placed, your bridge should blend in with the rest of your smile quite well. With bridges, you don’t need to worry about your prosthetic falling out either like a denture might.