Dental Bridges in Sugar Land, TX

What are dental bridges?

Dental bridges and porcelain bridges are restorative fixtures custom-made to enable a patient to feel confident and enjoy functional chewing and optimal dental health. This restoration gets its name for its ability to physically bridge a gap between two teeth.

In most situations, a bridge has two or more crowns. The exception is the cantilever bridge that is used to replace a posterior molar at the very back of the mouth. The pontic, or artificial tooth, is an integral part of the bridge. This is what sits in the gap. The pontic “floats” over the gums and is fixed in place by the crowns on each side.

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What are the Benefits of a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges offer several advantages. Examples include:

• Bridges are lightweight and custom made to fit in the treatment area. The shape, size, and weight of the average bridge support optimal comfort when chewing and speaking.
• Easy maintenance. For the most part, patients with dental bridges maintain their normal brushing and flossing habits. The minor change is that you must use an interdental flosser under the artificial tooth of your bridge and take extra care around the margins of the crowns that anchor it.
• Preservation of speech. Dental bridges fill empty spaces that are essential for speaking without inhibition and impediment.
• Preservation of aesthetic value and confidence. When you laugh heartily, your mouth is visible, including empty spaces created by tooth loss. Filling gaps with a dental bridge reinstates the natural attractiveness of your smile.
• Convenient treatment. It takes only a few appointments to complete dental bridge treatment.

Who are the Ideal Candidates for a Dental Bridge?

Many adults who have lost one or more teeth are good candidates for a dental bridge. To confirm this, we conduct a thorough consultation and comprehensive dental examination. We evaluate the teeth around the gap to ensure they are healthy and strong enough to stabilize the bridge. Patients must have good oral health and be free of gum disease to be the best possible candidates for dental bridge treatment. If necessary, we can perform restorative care before commencing with tooth replacement. In this way, we secure the best possible outcome.

How are Porcelain Bridges placed?

Once it is determined that you are a good candidate for the porcelain bridges procedure, your dentist will reshape the natural teeth that sit next to the space where a tooth has been lost. It is necessary to reduce the anchor teeth so dental crowns can be made to fit comfortably over them without affecting your bite. Because tooth reshaping is done with a vibrating dental drill, patients are pre-treated with a local anesthetic. This makes the process painless.

In instances of a single missing tooth, the bridge will consist of three pieces, two crowns and a pontic. When more than one tooth is missing, additional pontics are added in between the two dental crowns. In such instances, additional teeth may need to be crowned, as well, to add stability to the overall structure.

Dental crowns and pontics are usually made in a laboratory. Therefore, the dentist must take impressions using a dental putty. The impressions are made into a 3D model of the area of the mouth being treated. This model guides the fabrication of dental restorations so they fit well over teeth and also fit naturally against opposing teeth when you chew.

After teeth are reduced and impressions are taken, temporary fixtures may be cemented over teeth to wear until the final restorations are ready. This prevents unnecessary risks and promotes optimal comfort between visits.

It takes approximately two weeks for the final bridges to be ready for placement. This second visit involves the removal of the temporary crowns or bridge and cleaning all temporary cement from the margins between teeth and gums. The bridge is seated into place, where it is then evaluated for size, color, and bite. Sometimes, minor adjustments are made to ensure the bridge will be comfortable and fully functional. Once the bridge fits perfectly, it is bonded to anchor teeth. The dentist or hygienist will demonstrate how to clean around and beneath the pontic.

What is the Recovery from Porcelain Bridges?

Bridge treatment involves crowns being placed over one or more teeth. The teeth that are “capped” with crowns may be sensitive or sore for a short time after the procedure. The minor side effects are typically not enough to prevent normal activities, though it is necessary to avoid excessive stress on the teeth as they recover from treatment.

After getting a dental bridge, you may want to:

• Adjust your diet to avoid crunchy, tough, or chewy foods until you can comfortably bite down as needed.
• Eat and drink warm or room-temperature foods and beverages for a few days. If your teeth do not feel sensitive, you may not need to do this.
• Brush your teeth twice every day and floss once a day. If you are unsure how to floss around your crowns and beneath your artificial tooth, contact our office for friendly assistance.
• Avoid chewing tobacco and cigarettes. These habits degrade oral health and can impede healing after any dental procedure. Dentists encourage patients to kick these habits for good.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages. Like smoking and tobacco use, alcoholic beverages can degrade oral health and slow the healing process.

How Long Do Porcelain Bridges Last?

Porcelain bridges can last from 5 to 15 years. The oral care that is practiced, foods that are eaten, and avoidance of certain habits contribute to the longevity of this restorative fixture.

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Are Dental Bridges safe?

Dentists have treated tooth loss with dental bridges for many years. The process has consistently achieved outstanding results in qualified cases. We perform a comprehensive examination of the mouth, including the teeth and roots that will anchor a proposed dental bridge, to minimize the risk of damage or poor success. The primary risks of dental bridge treatment are damage to anchor teeth and decay around dental crowns. With good oral care, bridges are expected to last several years.

Porcelain Bridges Maintenance

A porcelain dental bridge is made from ultra-durable material. However, it is necessary to take very good care of this fixture so it can last as long as possible. In particular, patients must brush gently but thoroughly around their dental crowns. A special instrument must be used to clean beneath the pontic so bacteria, debris, and plaque do not accumulate in this hard-to-reach area. Patients must also carefully floss around their dental crowns to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque contains oral bacteria that can cause inflammation and infection in the gums, leading to gum recession that weakens the integrity of the crowns that anchor the bridge.

Routine dental visits are also scheduled to help patients maintain their dental bridges. Exams and cleanings should occur every six months to catch signs of gum disease or tooth decay early.

Why Use Porcelain for Dental Bridges?

Drs. Davis and Kline offer porcelain bridges because this material mimics the reflective nature of natural enamel. Dental porcelain is specially made to retain brightness, color, and integrity against the effects of daily living and eating habits. Porcelain not only looks more like natural enamel than other dental materials, but it also resists discoloration.

How Do Dental Bridges Compare with Dental Implants?

Dental bridges are fixtures that are stabilized in the mouth by anchoring to adjacent teeth. This requires the dentist to reduce two teeth, which may otherwise be fully intact, to hold the bridge. Dental implant-retained bridges are secured to the jawbone, just like natural teeth. This is accomplished by inserting small titanium cylinders, allowing bone to grow around them, and then attaching artificial teeth via a system of abutments.

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How much do Dental Bridges Cost?

The cost of tooth replacement treatment can vary based on several factors. For example, the number of teeth needing replacement and the performance of other restorative procedures at the time of care. Dental bridge costs may also vary based on selected materials and the use of dental benefits. Our team works with each patient to provide an accurate estimate of treatment that takes into account the use of dental insurance, if applicable.

FAQ

What Supports Dental Bridges?

There are several types of bridges. With a traditional bridge, a crown on each side supports the bridge. A Cantilever bridge uses a crown on just one side to support the bridge.

An implant-supported bridge uses implants on either side of the bridge to support it. Finally, a Maryland bridge uses a framework bonded to the back of the teeth on both sides of the bridge to hold it in place. You do not need to file the teeth down when choosing a Maryland bridge.

Does an Implant-supported Bridge Have Benefits Over Other Types of Bridges?

Yes. First, with an implant-supported bridge, your dentist doesn’t have to file your existing teeth down as he does with a crown-supported bridge. The implants replace your natural tooth roots and stimulate bone growth, which means you have less risk of bone loss in the future.

Additionally, implants don’t wear or cause the adjacent teeth to loosen over time, as can sometimes happen with crowns. Finally, an implant-supported bridge feels more secure and is usually more comfortable than partial dentures.

How Do You Care for an Implant-supported Bridge?

You care for your implant-supported bridge just as you would your natural teeth. Brush and floss daily and keep up with dental checkups. You do have to be sure to clean the area between your gum and the bridge, which may require a smaller toothbrush or a special water flosser.

How Long Do Bridges Supported By Other Teeth Last?

That depends on the amount of care you give the bridge. It could last from five to 15 years. However, some people have had their bridges last for over 20 years.

What Are the Advantages of a Maryland Bridge?

A Maryland bridge uses a framework attached to the back of existing teeth instead of crowns or implants. Since they are minimally invasive, they are good for younger people who are still growing. This type of bridge is also great for someone whose health won’t allow them to undergo more invasive procedures, such as crowns or implants.

Additionally, a Maryland bridge helps preserve the structure of your natural teeth since it doesn’t require filing your teeth like crowns do. Finally, this option is usually less expensive than other types of bridges.

How Do You Care for a Maryland Bridge?

If the metal wings on a Maryland bridge loosen, plaque can build up under them, which leads to cavities. Brushing twice per day and flossing at least once per day minimizes the risk of cavities. If you believe your bridge is loose, see your dentist as soon as possible for repairs.

Schedule A Consultation in Sugar Land TX

A porcelain bridge can restore vibrancy and comfort to your smile. We would love to restore your smile! For more information or to schedule a consultation with our providers at SmileTexas® near Houston, please call (281) 265-7645.