Dr. Huckin is happy to provide dental bridges for our Dallas, Texas patients.
Dental bridges are oral appliances that are secured to surrounding, healthy teeth or implants. A dental bridge is often used to replace one or several consecutive missing teeth and help restore the look of your smile as well as the function of your bite.
When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth quickly begin to shift toward the empty space. This empty space becomes a good hiding place for bacteria, which can eventually lead to infection.
It is essential to replace any missing teeth as soon as possible to reduce the risk of further damage or complications. Fortunately, Dr. Huckin offers customized dental bridges to meet the needs of your smile in a timely manner.
Dental Bridges in Dallas TX
Receiving a dental bridge often requires more than one visit to our office. When it is determined that you need a dental bridge, Dr. Huckin will schedule you for a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and jaw to ensure that you are a good candidate. The surrounding teeth will then be prepared for your new dental bridge.
Then, Dr. Huckin will take dental impressions to send off to our labs so that we can create your customized dental bridge. You will be given a temporary bridge while your dental bridge is being created. Once your dental bridge is created, we will schedule another appointment for you to return to our office so that we can attach it to your neighboring teeth.
Traditional Vs. Implant-Secured Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge is usually removable and is anchored by two of your natural teeth. Dental crowns can be used to strengthen the anchor teeth as well. This option is ideal for when you want a restoration quickly. However, they’re not the best choice for longevity.
When you’re missing teeth, your jawbone continues to deteriorate. Your bridge may have to be readjusted or replaced as your jawbone continues to change.
Implant-supported dental bridges are a longer-lasting solution. Dental implants stop the jawbone from deteriorating, so you won’t have to keep adjusting your bridge. Implants fuse with your jawbone to give them greater stability and support.
Implants anchor the bridge, too, which means less stress on your natural teeth. When natural teeth are anchors, they’re more susceptible to damage and decay because of the stress of being anchored to teeth. While they last longer, they also take longer to get your final restoration.
Not every patient is eligible for dental implants. At your initial consultation, we’ll do a thorough oral exam and imaging. Dental implants require a specific amount of healthy bone structure to make them successful.
If you’re eligible for an implant-supported bridge, you get back your full bite function. This is not the case with traditional bridges. Traditional bridges may fall out or break when you’re trying to bite into some harder foods, so you may not be able to return to the full diet that you had before missing teeth.
As with all of our restorative procedures, you’ll have a consultation with Dr. Huckin before moving forward with anything. He’ll talk to you about your goals, budget, and do a thorough oral exam. We always make sure that we’re giving you the best possible restoration option for your unique case.
Schedule An Appointment
If you are interested in learning more about our implant-secured dental bridges, schedule an appointment today for a consultation with Dr. Huckin!