Dental Bridges in Dallas, TX

If you have missing teeth, dental bridges are a reliable, non-surgical solution that restores both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your smile. Dental bridges are quite popular because of their durability and affordability, offering patients a solution that can last for several years with the right care.

At Bent Tree Dental, we offer dental bridges for our patients. Here’s more information on what dental bridges are and how they may help you.

What Are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are a type of dental restoration device designed to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. They’re different from dental implants and posts, which replace a single missing tooth.

Dental bridges are an advanced form of technology and are meticulously crafted to fit each patient perfectly. By filling in gaps left by missing teeth, dental bridges can help:

Maintain proper alignment of the teeth
Support functions like chewing and speech
Prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of position

Dental bridges are also useful in cosmetic dentistry because they help improve the appearance of a patient’s smile.

There are three main parts of dental bridges — abutments, pontics, and crowns.

Abutments

The abutments are the supports holding the bridge in place. These are on either side of the gap in the teeth and are usually the natural teeth themselves — although, in some cases, they may be dental implants.

The abutment teeth need to be specially prepared by being reshaped so there’s room for the crown. Dr. Rick Miller begins this process by taking impressions of your teeth to make sure everything will fit properly.

Pontics

The pontics are the false teeth replacing your missing teeth and spanning the entirety of the gap. Pontics are made from durable materials that are tooth-colored and usually either porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. This allows for a blend of durability, strength, and aesthetics.

The pontics are secured to the crowns covering the abutment teeth on either side of the gap.

Crowns

Crowns are the dental restorations that cover the dental implant or “cap” the tooth completely. When it comes to dental bridges, crowns are placed onto the implants or abutment teeth to serve as connection points for the pontics.

Types of Bridges

Depending on the number of teeth you are missing, there are different types of bridges we can use.

Traditional Dental Bridges

Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge, consisting of one or more pontics that are held in place by dental crowns. The crowns have been cemented onto the adjacent teeth.

Cantilever Dental Bridges

These dental bridges are used when adjacent teeth are only on one side of the missing tooth/teeth area. With Cantilever bridges, the pontic is held in place via a crown connected to a single abutment tooth.

Maryland Dental Bridges

These dental bridges are a more conservative option that uses porcelain or metal framework and eliminates the need for crowns. With Maryland bridges, the pontic is connected to the back of the adjacent teeth rather than crowns.

Implant-Supported Bridges

If you have multiple teeth missing, an implant-supported bridge is likely the best option for you. Rather than being supported by frameworks or crowns, these are supported by dental implants.

With implant-supported bridges, one implant is installed per missing tooth, and these implants help hold the bridge in position.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

There are numerous benefits of dental bridges if you have missing teeth.

Dental Bridges Are Non-Surgical

Unlike dental implants, dental bridges don’t require surgery. This makes them a great choice for patients who would prefer to avoid surgery or simply are not suitable candidates for surgery.

The dental bridges process begins with reshaping the abutment teeth, taking an impression of the area, and then sending the impression off to a lab where the bridges are meticulously crafted. Once the bridges are ready, Dr. Miller fits and adjusts them to ensure a proper bite and ultimate comfort.

Compared to surgery, dental bridges are a simpler and more comfortable option.

Cost-Effective

Dental bridges are a cost-effective solution for individuals who are missing more than one tooth. Replacing each and every tooth with an individual implant is not only expensive but can be a more complex procedure.

Dental bridges, on the other hand, can span the space of multiple missing teeth with a single device.

Prevent Teeth Shifting and Preserve Smile

When you have multiple missing teeth, the remaining teeth may start to shift over time in order to fill the empty space. This can lead to misaligned teeth, an improper bite, and many other complications.

By filling these gaps, dental bridges can help maintain the integrity of your jaw alignment and the shape of your face. They redistribute the amount of force and pressure in your bite so you don’t experience uneven wear and tear on your teeth. They also help preserve the aesthetics of your smile.

Using Mini Dental Implants to Reinforce Stabilization in Patients with Less Bone Mass

For some patients, we may use mini dental implants to support a dental bridge in order to reinforce stability and retention.

Mini implants are an alternative to conventional dental implants, and they are suitable for patients who have a smaller area of available bone mass.

Mini implants are placed into the jawbone, and the dental bridge attaches to them, providing a stable and secure foundation for the dental bridge. Using mini implants and dental bridges together offers a stable and strong solution for patients with missing teeth.