Dental Bridges – McKinney, TX

Dental bridges are designed to be a long-term solution to tooth loss, one that emulates the stability and strength of the natural teeth. That being the case, they’re adhered to the natural teeth using a powerful dental cement, one that makes it improbable for the dental bridge to come loose.

This being the case, dental bridges can’t be taken out at will. They can only be removed by a professional, and doing so will leave the teeth modified to put the bridge in place unprotected. If removability is important for you when it comes to tooth replacement, partial dentures may be a better fit for your needs.

Dental bridges are capable of replacing anywhere from one to four missing teeth, provided that they’re all located next to each other. However, they’re really best suited to replacing only one or two teeth.

This is because replacing more teeth means that the dental bridge will have to be longer, which means that eating and chewing will put additional pressure on your restoration. Replacing four teeth with a single bridge will mean a less stable restoration and will require stronger natural teeth to support it.

Implant dentures can mitigate this problem, which means that they’re generally the better option if you’re looking to replace 3-4 teeth with a single bridge.

There’s likely going to be a tiny gap between your restoration and your gums, and this will have to be cleaned occasionally if you want to keep gum disease at bay. Otherwise, bacteria could accumulate underneath your dental bridge.

You can clean underneath your dental bridge in a variety of ways. For one, a floss threader can allow you to push ordinary dental floss underneath your restoration, making cleaning easier. You can also use interdental brushes, a.k.a. “Christmas tree brushes,” to scrub away plaque. And, if dexterity issues preclude the use of small implements to clean your teeth, a WaterPik or other oral irrigator can use pressurized water to blast away bacteria.

Our dental bridges are made from materials that are resistant to acid erosion, which means that they won’t develop cavities. However, it’s still possible for bacteria to sneak underneath your dental bridge and to attack the natural enamel underneath, compromising the integrity of your restoration.

That being the case, it’s still critically important for you to take good care of dental bridge with daily dental hygiene. You should continue to brush your teeth, floss daily, and attend regular cleanings if you want to ensure the long lifespan of your restoration.