Restorative Dentistry
Dental Bridges in Duncanville, TX
Restore your smile with confidence, strength and function.
Missing a tooth does not only affect how you look — it changes your bite, your speech and the way the rest of your teeth wear. At Precision Dental Care we make custom bridges that fill the gap and restore both function and appearance, whether the tooth was lost to injury, decay or extraction. We proudly serve Duncanville, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Grand Prairie, Lancaster, Arlington and nearby Texas communities.
Expert Care. Flawless Results.
Dental Bridges at Precision Dental Care
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. It is made of two parts: the pontics, which are the artificial teeth that fill the gap, and the anchors on either side, which are either crowns on your own teeth or implants placed in the jaw. Because the whole thing is cemented in place, a bridge behaves like a set of natural teeth rather than something you take out at night. It is often the right answer when implants are not feasible, or when you would rather have a faster and more affordable route to a complete bite. Our lab is in the building, so the technician who builds your bridge can check its fit and shade against your own teeth while you are still in the chair.
Types of Bridge We Make
The right design depends on how many teeth are missing, what sits either side of the gap and the condition of the bone underneath.
- Traditional Bridges Crowns on the natural teeth either side support the replacement teeth in the middle. Best for one or more missing teeth between healthy neighbors — cost effective, strong and reliable.
- Implant-Supported Bridges Implants rather than natural teeth carry the bridge. Best for several missing teeth in a row; it preserves jawbone, puts no strain on the neighboring teeth and is very stable.
- Cantilever Bridges Used where only one natural tooth is available to anchor to. Less common, but useful in specific situations toward the front of the mouth, and it needs less tooth preparation.
What to Expect
A bridge is normally planned across two appointments, with the cost agreed before any preparation starts.
- Evaluation with digital X-rays We look at the gap, the anchor teeth and the bone on screen with you.
- Preparing the anchors Where natural teeth are carrying the bridge, they are shaped to take the crowns.
- iTero digital scans A handheld scanner replaces the impression tray, so there is nothing to gag on.
- A temporary bridge Fitted so you leave with a complete smile and can eat normally.
- Fitting and cementation The finished bridge is seated and held permanently in place.
- Bite check and polish Adjusted on the spot until it feels like your own teeth.
Caring for Your Bridge
A bridge lasts as long as the teeth and gums holding it, so the cleaning routine matters more than with a single filling.
- Brush twice daily and floss around the bridge The margins where the crowns meet the gumline are where problems start.
- Clean underneath the pontic A floss threader or a water flosser reaches the space a normal floss pass cannot.
- Avoid chewing hard objects Ice, pens and hard candy are what fracture porcelain.
- Keep your regular cleanings and exams We check the anchors and the fit at every visit.
The Technology Behind a Precise Bridge
Every bridge is planned with the iTero scanner for fast, accurate digital impressions, 3D printing for the working models, a cone beam CT scan where implants are involved, Digital Smile Design to preview the result and intraoral cameras so you can see what we see. You can read more on our technology page, compare the options on our dental implants page, or see how a bridge fits into a wider plan under restorative dentistry.
The short answer
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. Artificial teeth, called pontics, fill the gap and are anchored by crowns on the neighboring teeth or by implants in the jaw. Because it is cemented in place, a bridge works like natural teeth rather than something you take out at night.
Dental Bridges FAQ
- How long do bridges last?
- Most bridges last 10 to 15 years with proper care. How long yours lasts depends largely on the health of the anchor teeth and how well the margins are kept clean. A bridge lasts as long as the teeth and gums holding it, so brushing, cleaning under the bridge and keeping your regular cleanings matter more than they would with a single filling.
- Are bridges painful to get?
- Getting a bridge should not be painful: we use local anesthetic throughout, and most patients report no significant discomfort. Sedation is available if you would rather be more relaxed. Impressions are taken with the iTero scanner instead of a tray, so there is nothing to gag on.
- Can I eat normally with a bridge?
- Yes, once it has been adjusted, a bridge should feel natural for eating and speaking. We will tell you what to avoid while the temporary is in place. With the finished bridge, steer clear of chewing ice, pens and hard candy, which are what fracture porcelain.
- What is the difference between a bridge and an implant?
- A bridge relies on the teeth on either side of the gap, while an implant is placed into the jaw and stands on its own. With a traditional bridge, the neighboring teeth are shaped to take crowns that carry the replacement tooth; an implant needs nothing from the teeth beside it. A bridge is often the right answer when implants are not feasible, or when you would rather have a faster and more affordable route to a complete bite. We will walk you through which suits your case.
- How do I clean underneath the bridge?
- Clean underneath a bridge with a floss threader or a water flosser, which reach the space a normal floss pass cannot. We show you the technique at the fitting appointment and check it at every cleaning. Brush twice daily and floss around the bridge as well, because the margins where the crowns meet the gumline are where problems start.
- Will a bridge look like real teeth?
- Yes, a bridge is made to look like your own teeth, with the shade and shape matched to them. Because our lab is on site, the technician can compare the work against your smile directly while you are still in the chair. Digital Smile Design is also used to preview the result.
- Can a bridge replace several teeth?
- Yes, a bridge can replace several teeth, and implant-supported bridges are designed for larger gaps. The implants carry the load rather than the neighboring teeth, which keeps the strain off your own teeth and preserves the jawbone. A traditional bridge can also replace one or more missing teeth between healthy neighbors.
- What happens if I do not replace a missing tooth?
- If a missing tooth is not replaced, the surrounding teeth can drift into the space, the bite can change, and the bone that used to support the tooth gradually resorbs. A gap can also affect your speech and the way the rest of your teeth wear. A bridge fills that space and restores both function and appearance.
- Will my insurance cover a bridge?
- Many insurance plans offer partial coverage for a bridge. We verify your benefits before treatment and give you a written estimate of your share. The cost is agreed before any preparation starts, so you know where you stand before treatment begins.
- Which type of bridge is best for me?
- The best type of bridge depends on the number of teeth missing, the condition of the neighboring teeth and the bone underneath. A traditional bridge suits one or more missing teeth between healthy neighbors, an implant-supported bridge suits several missing teeth in a row, and a cantilever bridge is used where only one natural tooth is available to anchor to. We will recommend a type and explain why.
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