Dental Bridges in Abilene, Texas
Dental Bridges in Abilene, Texas
Every tooth plays a role in speaking, chewing, and holding the teeth around it in position. Tooth loss does not have to be a normal part of getting older, but when a tooth is lost it should be replaced, because the gap changes how the whole mouth works. Dental bridges in Abilene, Texas are one of the most established ways to fill that gap and restore normal function, and at Abilene Dental on Buffalo Gap Road we plan every case around which teeth are missing and what condition the teeth beside the gap are in.
Dental Bridge Options
A dental bridge is a fixed device that replaces one or more missing teeth by attaching a false tooth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Those supporting teeth are called abutment teeth, and the replacement tooth in the middle is called a pontic. Bridges are either permanently attached, known as fixed bridges, or removable.
Fixed bridges are placed by fitting dental crowns onto the abutment teeth, or by bonding the artificial tooth directly to the adjacent teeth. Removable bridges attach with metal clasps or precision attachments and can be taken out for cleaning.
If you are missing one or more teeth, you already know how much they matter to both your appearance and your dental health. Teeth work as a set, and daily tasks from eating a steak to pronouncing certain sounds get noticeably harder once part of that set is gone. A missing tooth also lets the neighbouring teeth drift and tilt into the space, while the opposing tooth above or below slowly over erupts because nothing meets it. A fixed dental bridge stops that movement and restores both function and appearance, which is why it remains one of the most common tooth replacement treatments we provide for patients across Abilene and the surrounding Taylor County communities.
What exactly is a dental bridge or fixed partial denture?
A dental bridge, also called a fixed partial denture, is a restoration that fills the space where one or more teeth are absent by spanning it from one natural tooth to another. Fixed bridges are cemented permanently into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name suggests, can be taken out and cleaned by the patient. Fixed bridges give noticeably more stability than removable ones, feel closer to natural teeth, and do not need to be taken out at night, which is why most patients who are replacing a small number of teeth choose a fixed dental bridge over a removable option.
Why do I need a dental bridge?
The most important reason for a dental bridge is protecting the teeth you still have. Teeth are designed to meet each other in a balanced bite, and when one is missing that balance breaks down. The teeth on either side of the gap slowly tilt into the space, the tooth in the opposing arch over erupts because nothing stops it, and unusual stress is placed on the gums and the remaining teeth, which can lead to further problems over time.
Function and appearance matter too. A dental bridge helps support your lips and cheeks, and losing a back tooth can allow that side of the mouth to sink slightly, which makes the face look older than it is.
An increased risk of gum disease is one of the most serious consequences of missing teeth, because tilted teeth and open spaces trap food and plaque in places a brush cannot reach easily. Filling the gap with a bridge restores a cleanable, even surface.
Missing teeth can also cause speech problems, because the tongue and lips use the teeth to form many of the sounds we rely on to speak clearly.
What materials are used for dental bridges?
Dental bridges are made from porcelain, gold alloys, non precious alloys, zirconia, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain fused to metal is a long established choice that pairs a strong metal substructure with a tooth colored porcelain surface. All ceramic and zirconia bridges contain no metal at all and give the most natural translucency, which makes them the usual choice for front teeth. Metal based bridges remain a strong option for back teeth, where chewing forces are highest and the restoration is not visible when you smile. Dr. Christie Leedy will recommend the material that fits the position of the gap, the force your bite places on it, and how visible the bridge will be.
How is a dental bridge attached?
Attaching a dental bridge usually takes two or three appointments. At the first appointment Dr. Christie Leedy prepares the abutment teeth on either side of the gap by removing a measured portion of enamel and dentin, creating room for the bridge to sit flush rather than bulky. The area is numbed first, so the appointment is comfortable.
A dental bridge has to be built very precisely to sit correctly against the gum and meet the opposing tooth in the right place, so an impression or digital scan of your teeth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory where the bridge is fabricated. You wear a temporary bridge in the meantime, which protects the prepared teeth and lets you eat and speak normally between visits.
At the fitting appointment the finished bridge is tried in, the bite is checked and adjusted, and once everything sits correctly it is cemented permanently into place. Fixed bridges are cemented to the natural teeth next to the space, and the pontic, meaning the false tooth, fills the gap. Dental crowns cemented onto the abutment teeth carry the load and hold the whole bridge in position.
How do I take care of my bridge?
Cleaning under a dental bridge is the single most important habit for making it last, because a bridge depends entirely on the health of the teeth supporting it. Ordinary floss will not pass between the pontic and the gum, so you clean underneath it instead, using a floss threader, superfloss, an interdental brush, or a water flosser to sweep the space beneath the false tooth once a day. Combine that with brushing and flossing twice a day and regular cleanings at our Abilene, Texas office. Bridges themselves do not decay, but the natural abutment teeth underneath still can, and decay at the margin is the most common reason a bridge eventually needs replacing.
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HAPPY PATIENTS. BIG SMILES.
"Dr. Christie Leedy was great, and did a very good job, as I did not have any pain at all. I give them 100 stars out of 10. Thank you all, I’ll be back again to finish the rest."
- Tim David
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges in Abilene, Texas
Answers about replacing missing teeth, fixed bridges and restorative dentistry in Abilene, Texas
How long do dental bridges last?
A dental bridge typically lasts ten to fifteen years, and many last considerably longer with good cleaning and regular checkups. The bridge itself does not wear out quickly, because porcelain and zirconia are hard wearing materials. What determines its lifespan is the health of the abutment teeth supporting it. Decay at the margin where the bridge meets the natural tooth, or gum disease around those supporting teeth, is the most common reason a bridge eventually needs replacing. Cleaning underneath the pontic every day and keeping your cleanings at our Abilene, Texas dental office are what push a bridge toward the longer end of that range.
What is the difference between a dental bridge and a dental implant?
The difference is what supports the replacement tooth. A dental bridge is supported by the natural teeth on either side of the gap, which must be reduced and crowned to carry it. A dental implant is supported by a titanium post placed into the jawbone, so the neighbouring teeth are left completely untouched. Implants last longer and preserve jawbone, but they require surgery and several months of healing. A bridge is faster, involves no surgery, and is often the better choice when the adjacent teeth already need crowns anyway, or when bone volume or a medical condition rules out an implant. Dr. Christie Leedy will explain which applies to your situation rather than defaulting to one answer.
Does getting a dental bridge hurt?
Getting a dental bridge does not hurt. The abutment teeth are numbed with local anesthetic before any preparation begins, so you should feel pressure and movement but no pain during the appointment. Mild tenderness in the gums and some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days afterward is normal, particularly while you are wearing the temporary bridge, and it settles as the teeth adjust. Over the counter pain relief is usually enough if you need anything at all. Tell us if you feel any sharpness at any point and we will add more anesthetic straight away.
How many appointments does it take to get a dental bridge?
Getting a dental bridge usually takes two or three appointments over about two to three weeks. The first visit covers numbing, preparing the abutment teeth, taking an impression or digital scan, and fitting a temporary bridge to wear while the permanent one is made. The dental laboratory then fabricates the bridge to your bite. At the second visit the finished bridge is tried in, the fit and bite are checked and adjusted, and it is cemented permanently in place. Some cases need a short third appointment for a final bite adjustment once you have been chewing on it for a few days.
How do you clean under a dental bridge?
You clean under a dental bridge rather than between its teeth, because the false tooth is joined to the crowns on either side and ordinary floss cannot pass through. Use a floss threader or superfloss to pull floss beneath the pontic and sweep it side to side along the gum once a day. An interdental brush sized to the space, or a water flosser aimed under the bridge, does the same job and many patients find both easier. This one habit matters more than anything else for the life of the bridge, because plaque left under the pontic causes gum inflammation and decay on the very teeth holding the bridge up.
Does dental insurance cover a dental bridge, and how do I book a visit in Abilene, Texas?
Dental bridges are usually treated as a restorative rather than a cosmetic procedure, so many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage when a tooth is being replaced for functional reasons. The exact amount depends on your plan, any waiting periods, and your annual maximum, and some plans apply a missing tooth clause if the tooth was lost before the policy started. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins so you know where you stand. To book a dental bridge consultation in Abilene, Texas, call 325-692-3344 or visit Abilene Dental at 5309 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas 79606, open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
HOURS OF OPERATION
- Mon8:00am - 4:00pm
- Tue8:00am -4 :00pm
- Wed8:00am - 4:00pm
- Thur8:00am - 4:00pm
- Fri8:00am - 4:00pm
- Sat - SunClosed