Dental Bridges – Waco, TX
Bridge the Gap, Restore Your Smile
Are you missing one tooth? Maybe you’re missing several teeth in a row following a sports-related injury or accident. In both cases, we recommend coming to our Waco dental office to explore your tooth-replacement options! Dental bridges are a tried-and-true solution that can help in both cases. Plus, they are custom-made for each patient, ensuring they look great and fit perfectly. If you want to learn more, you can schedule a consultation with one of our talented dentists or read on.
Why Choose Premier Family Dental for Dental Bridges?
- Morning, Lunchtime, and Afternoon Hours
- Entire Dental Implant Procedure Performed In-House
- Treatments Performed Using the Latest Dental Technology
What is a Dental Bridge?
As you may have assumed from the name, a dental bridge literally bridges the gap in your smile following tooth loss. This tooth-replacement solution is comprised of two components: the replacement teeth and the restorations holding them in place. Since they are custom-made for each patient and crafted from only the best materials, you can have peace of mind knowing that the final result will be a complete smile that looks and feels natural.
Types of Dental Bridges
Our Waco dental team proudly offers two types of dental bridges: traditional and implant-retained. Below, you can find a little more information on each. However, if you have a question or you want to find out which one is best for your unique dental needs and smile goals, then don’t hesitate to give us a call to schedule a consultation!
Traditional Dental Bridge
Traditional dental bridges are used to replace one missing tooth or a few teeth in a row. In this case, the replacement teeth are securely anchored in position with two dental crowns, which are placed on the teeth surrounding the gap. Sometimes, this requires healthy enamel to be altered, but the improvement to the look, health, and function of your smile makes it well worth it.
Implant Bridge
An implant bridge, on the other hand, uses dental implants, not dental crowns. For that reason, it’s typically only recommended when patients are missing three or more teeth. If you are a candidate for this tooth-replacement solution, then your healthy teeth will remain untouched. Plus, the results can last for several decades with proper care!
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are popular because:
- They improve your oral health by preventing dental drift
- They are easy to maintain
- They can last for 10+ years
- They are custom-made for each patient, ensuring they look and feel natural
- They restore some of the strength of your bite
Dental Bridges FAQs
Are Dental Bridges Removable?
Dental bridges are a convenient way to replace one or several consecutively missing teeth, but many patients near Waco wonder whether they’re intended to be easily removed and reinserted. Some of this confusion may stem from the fact that some providers refer to partial dentures as “removable bridges,” but they are actually two very different treatments.
Partial dentures are indeed meant to be easily taken out for cleanings, but dental bridges are cemented in place and aren’t intended to come off without the help of our Premier Family Dental team. You can eat, drink, and complete your daily dental hygiene routine with them in your mouth.
What Are Dental Bridges Made Of?
These prosthetics can be made from various materials, depending on your provider and your unique situation. For instance, they can be designed from metallic materials for durability, or porcelain-fused-to-metal options that look more natural.
However, our Premier Family Dental providers use resilient, tooth-colored materials that are just as long-lasting as the alternatives. Plus, this material can be customized to be just the right shade, shape, and size to match your natural smile for seamless results.
Does Getting a Dental Bridge Hurt?
Many patients experience anxiety around dental appointments, especially if they have a major procedure like replacing missing teeth. It’s natural to want to avoid long, agonizing treatments, but thankfully, that’s not the case with these prosthetics.
Firstly, our team will administer a local anesthetic before beginning to prevent the nerves in your mouth from sending pain signals to your brain. We also offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral conscious sedative options to keep you calm and comfortable. You might develop some sensitivity if we must remove some enamel for your bridge to fit correctly over your natural teeth, but this usually resolves itself after a few days.
Usually, it’s safe to take Tylenol or ibuprofen to address any associated aches and inflammation, but if you experience severe or persistent throbbing, please contact us so we can ensure your bridge fits correctly.
How Long Do Dental Bridges Usually Last?
Typically, most of these restorations last anywhere from 5 to 15+ years, though it depends significantly on your unique situation. Several factors can affect their longevity, such as:
- Oral hygiene habits. Your prosthetic can’t get cavities, but your natural teeth still can. If tooth decay goes unaddressed, it can erode the abutment teeth holding your bridge in place, or spread to your gums to cause an infection that causes them to retract, leaving it without enough of a foundation to remain firmly in place.
- Where it’s located. Although bridges are durable, they usually need to be replaced eventually because they wear down with years of daily use. Restorations in the back of the mouth sustain additional pressure from chewing with your molars that can chip, creak, break, or dislodge them sooner than ones in the front.
- Your diet. Eating overly hard foods, like ice, candy, and nuts, can injure or fracture your new teeth and overly sticky options can yank them out of place.
You can elongate their lifespan by brushing and flossing twice daily and scheduling a routine checkup and cleaning with our team every six months.