Dental Bridges in Dallas, Plano, DFW

Plano, TX cosmetic dentists, Dr. Ron Bosher and Dr. Tim Nguyen, offer dental bridges for patients missing a tooth. Teeth are made to support each other. If a tooth is missing, the other teeth will drift or move over time. This can lead to multiple problems, such as a decreased ability to chew food, TMJ joint pain, teeth migration and food traps. A dental bridge can replace missing teeth and give patients a complete, natural-looking smile. Dental bridges help to “bridge” the gap to replace missing teeth. Once they are placed, they cannot be removed. If patients are missing one or more teeth, they may benefit from a dental bridge.

Before the dental bridge is placed, the adjacent teeth are reduced in size to accommodate for the thickness of the crown. We will take an optical laser scan of the patient’s teeth using our advanced CAD/CAM technology to make a model that duplicates the mouth. With the model, the bridge is created. Patients will be given a temporary bridge while the model is being created. After the temporary bridge is removed, the new bridge will be placed with accuracy and bonded to the adjacent teeth. If necessary, the dentist can make adjustments to ensure patient comfort.

The average cost for a dental bridge ranges between $4,200 to $6,700 per tooth, depending on the materials used to make the bridge. Most dental insurance companies cover up to half the cost of a dental bridge. This depends on the coverage provided, which will be discussed during the treatment consultation.

Men and women with missing teeth are the best candidates for dental bridges. Gaps between teeth can lead to a variety of health and dental issues.

When teeth are missing, other teeth will move over time and cause multiple problems for the patient. Patients may have a decreased ability to chew food, TMJ joint pain, teeth migration that affects the appearance of teeth and food traps that lead to bacterial build up and infection.

There are several types of materials that dental bridges can be made out of. Traditional fixed bridges can be made out of porcelain, porcelain to metal, zirconium, and even gold. Patients are encouraged to consult with the dentist to figure out which material works best for their aesthetic goals.

• Potentially much greater long term cost as compared with implants
• Can not easily floss around the bridge, as the teeth are fused together
• Potentially more sensitivity for awhile, since the adjacent teeth have been crowned
• Patients are often hesitant to crown the adjacent teeth especially if they are in their original condition