Dental Bridges – Richardson, TX
Bridge the Gap in Your Grin
No one wants to be missing a tooth, but thanks to modern restorative dentistry, you always have several smile solutions. When you are missing one or a few consecutive teeth but your teeth on either side of the gap are healthy, a dental bridge in Richardson definitely merits consideration. At Jupiter Family Dental of Richardson, you can count on our dentists to bridge the gap in your grin to restore its appearance and balance; plus, this new addition will prevent dental drift and reduce your risk of gum disease. Contact our dental team to schedule a consultation!
What Is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are designed to help patients who are missing one tooth or several teeth in a consecutive row. An alternative to partial dentures, this tried-and-true tooth-replacement solution uses dental crowns or dental implants to secure the pontics (free-standing replacement teeth) in place. Since the materials used are available in a wide range of lifelike shades, modern dental bridges fill the gap in your smile seamlessly. Plus, they are incredibly durable, ensuring your bite doesn’t suffer either!
Types of Dental Bridges
The first step to regaining your primetime grin is a consultation with our experienced dentist in Richardson. He will conduct an oral examination, ask about your goals, and review your medical history. Based on his findings, one of the following treatment options will be recommended:
Traditional Dental Bridges
A traditional dental bridge can replace a single missing tooth or several teeth in a row. This restorative treatment requires you to have a natural, stable adjacent tooth in front of and behind the space you’re wanting to fill in. Essentially, we’re “bridging the gap” by making a single unit of three or more teeth.
Implant Bridge
As the name implies, an implant bridge uses dental implants as opposed to crowns. The implants are placed on either side of the gap in your smile, and after they’ve fused with the jawbone, we’ll be able to attach the dental bridge to the implants to replace two or more missing teeth. Considered the strongest and most stable system, an implant-supported bridge requires surgery to embed the implants into the jawbone. Your time invested in this option will pay off in the quality of the result!
The Benefits of a Getting a Dental Bridge
When you replace your missing teeth with a dental bridge, you can expect to enjoy an array of benefits, including:
- Maintained Alignment of your existing teeth
- Improved oral health
- Easy cleaning and maintenance
- Jawbone preservation with implant bridges
- Long-lasting results (15 years with traditional & 35+ with implant-supported)
- Natural-looking smile
Dental Bridges FAQs
Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?
No, you cannot remove your dental bridge yourself, as they are designed to remain in your mouth for many years after placement. If your bridge needs to be removed, it must be done by a dental professional.
Some healthcare professionals may refer to a partial denture as a “removable bridge,” although this is not entirely accurate. Partial dentures are similar to bridges, but one of the most important distinctions is that partial dentures can be removed by the patient at any time, while dental bridges cannot.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
Depending on your individual needs, a dental bridge can replace anywhere from one to four missing teeth in a row; however, most bridges are only used to replace one or two teeth. That’s because the longer your bridge extends, the less stable it may become, especially if your natural teeth supporting the bridge aren’t strong or healthy.
Implant bridges can lower this risk, as dental implants are just as strong and secure as natural teeth, if not more so!
Are Dental Bridges Covered by Insurance?
The short answer to this question is yes, but the exact level of coverage will vary between different providers and plans.
As a rule of thumb, most dental insurance plans consider dental bridges to be a major procedure and will typically cover about 40 to 50 percent of the cost. This will of course depend on your deductible and annual maximum.
At Jupiter Family Dental, we are proud to accept dental insurance as well as flexible financing to help make the cost of your dental bridge more suitable to your budget.
Can Dental Bridges Be Whitened?
No matter which materials your dental bridge is made of it cannot be whitened like your real teeth can. That’s because tooth enamel is covered with tiny pores through which bleaching gels can enter to break apart stains, while dental restorations like bridges are not. Therefore, your dental bridge should always remain the same color.
Metal-free bridges are designed to blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth. To minimize the risk of your natural teeth becoming discolored and making your dental bridge stand out, speak to Dr. Hsia about getting your teeth whitened before your bridge is placed. This way, your bridge will be matched to your ideal shade of white teeth!
