Dental Bridges – Irving, TX
Personalized Designs That Last
If you are missing one or more teeth and there is at least one serviceable tooth on both sides of the space where the tooth/teeth is/are missing, one acceptable option for replacement, used for many years in dentistry, is the dental bridge. It is made out of porcelain that is designed to replace missing teeth in the most natural way possible. This procedure usually takes two to three appointments to complete and is very similar to having a crown placed on a tooth. Keep reading to learn more about dental bridges or reach out to our office to schedule an initial consultation!
Why Choose 21st Century Dental of Irving for Dental Bridges?
- Durable, Lasting Tooth Replacement
- High-Quality Materials & Customized Design
- Reliable & Skilled Office Staff
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a restoration typically consisting of two dental crowns connected by pontics (artificial teeth). In many cases, it is specifically designed to replace one to three missing teeth in a row. Our team utilizes porcelain to construct the bridge, providing a lifelike and reliable solution for renewing your smile.
Types of Dental Bridges
Once you’ve scheduled a consultation with our team, we’ll need to thoroughly evaluate your oral health and discuss your smile goals and concerns to determine if a dental bridge is best for you. Depending on your situation, we might consider providing one of the following types of solutions in your treatment plan:
Traditional Dental Bridge
Traditional dental bridges usually replace one to three consecutively missing teeth. The two dental crowns will need to be supported via the adjacent natural teeth on either side of the gap. To do this, we’ll need to remove a small amount of your enamel to make room for your prosthetic, that way your results don’t appear bulky or feel unnatural. Your results should be able to last around 10 years with proper care.
Implant Bridge
If you have more than three missing teeth in a row, then you might consider getting an implant bridge instead. Not only can this option replace more pearly whites than traditional bridges, but it also involves embedding dental implants into your jawbone to secure your prosthetic in place. Of course, our team will need to ensure that you’re free of any issues like decay and gum disease beforehand, and you’ll need to have sufficient jawbone density to support the metal posts. Once you’ve received your implant bridge, you might expect them to go for decades to a lifetime so long as you take proper care of them.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
With a dental bridge, you’ll be free to make the most of a wide range of advantages, including:
- Increased oral health
- Simple cleaning and maintenance
- Natural-looking and durable dental materials
- Preserve current tooth alignment
- Maintain strong jawbone with implant bridges
- Can last around 10 years with traditional bridges and 30+ years with implant bridges
Dental Bridges FAQs
Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?
No, a dental bridge is not designed to be easily removed! If you attempt to take it out on your own, you could damage your natural teeth or the restoration itself. Your dentist in Irving is qualified to carefully and safely remove dental bridges, so if you’re experiencing difficulties with yours, please get in touch with our team and schedule an appointment.
It’s important to note that partial dentures are sometimes confused with dental bridges. Some partial dentures can indeed be removed by the patient, but bridges cannot.
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
Generally speaking, no. We’ll be sure to numb your mouth with a local anesthetic before preparing your natural teeth and placing your bridge. You might feel some slight pressure, but shouldn’t experience outright pain or sharp discomfort.
Now, if you have a history of dental anxiety or sensitivity, it may be beneficial to request sedation. At 21st Century Dental of Irving, we can provide you with nitrous oxide, oral conscious, IV, or NuCalm sedation based on your needs. If you’re interested, we’ll be happy to review your options in more detail and help you choose the best option for you.
Can Dental Bridges Be Whitened?
Unfortunately, since dental bridges aren’t made of natural enamel, whitening agents don’t work as effectively on them. The good news is that tooth-colored materials like porcelain are stain-resistant and should keep their shine for a long time if you take good care of them.
If your bridge is in need of a glow up, your dentist in Irving can polish or replace it. If you’re looking for more comprehensive whitening, we can also simply whiten your smile, then update your bridge to match.
Do Dental Bridges Feel Natural?
A dental bridge might feel strange at first, but over time, it should become more and more natural. It will be customized and precisely fitted to your unique smile gap, and will be durable enough to withstand the vast majority of foods and wear. The texture of porcelain is also incredibly close to natural enamel, so if you run your tongue over your teeth, you might not even notice the difference between your bridge and real teeth.
If your bridge still feels uncomfortable after two weeks or so, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist in Irving. We’ll gladly take a closer look at your restoration to make sure it fits and functions well.