Dental Bridges in Spring Branch & Memorial, Houston, TX

The incidence of having missing natural teeth in Americans is becoming quite high. In fact, according to the American Dental Association, American adults aged between 20 and 64 years have, on average, three decayed or missing teeth in their oral cavities. Even a single missing tooth can create significant problems during eating and speech. The good news is that missing teeth can be easily restored with Dental Bridges at Lifeworks Dental.

What are Dental Bridges?

As their name suggests, dental bridges literally fill the gap created by a missing tooth. In dental bridges, dental crowns, also known as the pontics, are used for replacing the missing teeth. In addition, crowns are also placed over adjacent natural teeth, or abutments, which provide support and retention to the bridge. Since dental bridges are permanently fixed to your natural teeth, they are much stronger and aesthetic in comparison to the removable dentures.

Who can benefit from Dental Bridges at Lifeworks Dental?

At Lifeworks Dental, we recommend teeth bridges in the following cases:

  • Single Tooth Replacement – if you have a single tooth missing, you can get it replaced with a dental bridge. In this case, dental bridges serve as a cost-effective alternative to dental implants.
  • Multiple Teeth Replacement – if there a gap created by multiple adjacent teeth, dental bridges can be effectively used for replacement. For each missing tooth, a crown (pontic) is attached, while the support for the prosthesis comes from dental crowns which are attached to the supporting natural teeth on either side of the gap.
  • If You’re Not Satisfied with Removable Dentures  dentures are quite uncomfortable to wear and are not as aesthetically pleasing as teeth bridges. If you are not happy with your dentures, you can enjoy the comfort and excellent esthetics of bridges.

What are Different Types of Bridges offered at Lifeworks Dental?

We offer different types of dental bridges to our esteemed patients at Lifeworks Dental:

  • Conventional Dental Bridges – these are the most commonly used dental bridges. These bridges have a design which is similar to that of an architectural bridge. In addition to the artificial teeth which will replace the missing teeth, these bridges contain crowns at both ends which rest over the supporting natural teeth or dental implants.
  • Cantilever Bridges – unlike the conventional bridges, the cantilever bridges are attached to the supporting teeth at only one end. Since they are not as strong as the traditional bridges, they are only used in replacing the front teeth, which do not sustain very heavy biting forces.
  • Maryland Bridges – also known as resin bonded bridges, these bridges do not require preparation of supporting teeth for retention. Rather, these bridges contain extensions made of a metal mesh which are bonded to the inner surfaces of the supporting teeth with the help of resin-based filling materials. Since natural tooth structure does not need to be removed from supporting teeth for attachment, these bridges are much more tooth conservative than other types of bridges. However, they are not as durable as the conventional bridges.

The type of dental bridges which are suitable for you will be decided by our dentists Dr. Kini Tran and Dr. Kim Nguyen, after a consultation.

What is the Process of Getting Dental Bridges at Lifeworks Dental?

Bridge Work at Lifeworks Dental is quite simple and is usually completed within two sittings.

  • Consultation – first, our Memorial Area dentist will perform a comprehensive examination of your teeth to assess your eligibility and to determine which type of dental bridge will be suitable for you.
  • Tooth Preparation – during the next step, we will prepare the supporting teeth for attaching the bridge. This will be done by removing a thin layer of the tooth structure, to create room for the attachment of the anchoring crowns.
  • Impression Making – after tooth preparation, we will make an impression of your teeth and send them to the dentallaboratory, along with the information regarding the shade and color of your teeth. While the bridge is being prepared in the laboratory, we will attach temporary bridges to your teeth to allow you to smile with confidence, and eat and speak without difficulty.
  • Attachment of the Bridge – once the prepared bridge is received back from the laboratory, it will be checked for its fit and esthetics. Once you are comfortable with your new teeth, we will permanently cement the bridge by using a dental cement.

The procedure for fabrication and attachment of Maryland bridges is slightly different since they are directly attached to the lingual (facing the tongue) surfaces of teeth and no preparation is required.

Advantages of Dental Bridges over Dentures

Here are a few reasons why bridges are superior to removable dentures:

  • Esthetics – dental bridges provide much better facial esthetics in comparison to the removable dentures since the artificial teeth used in bridges are made from high-quality dental ceramics which possess excellent translucency and lifelike appearance.
  • Durability – since they are prepared from durable and stronger materials, dental bridges tend to be more durable than the conventional dentures.
  • Improved Oral Function – dental bridges remain fixed to the natural teeth. Therefore, they significantly improve chewing and speech efficiency.

It’s time to say goodbye to your dentures! A beautiful smile with dental bridges awaits you at Lifeworks Dental. Visit us today for an in-depth consultation, and let us take care of your smile and dental health.

elderly couple smiling

Actual Patient – Before and After

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