A missing tooth affects how you chew, speak and smile, and it lets neighboring teeth drift out of place. A fixed dental bridge fills the gap with a natural-looking replacement tooth that stays put. Dr. Vishala Patel offers traditional bridges and implant-supported bridges, and will help you choose the right one.
A bridge "bridges" the space where a tooth is missing. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to supports on either side of the gap. With a traditional bridge, those supports are crowns on your neighboring teeth. With an implant-supported bridge, they are dental implants.
Filling the gap keeps nearby teeth from tipping or shifting, protects your bite and makes chewing on that side comfortable again.
A bridge may be a good fit if you:
After an exam and X-rays, Dr. Patel will explain which option suits your teeth, bone and budget.
Crowns on the teeth beside the gap hold a natural-looking replacement tooth. Fast and dependable, especially when those teeth already need crowns.
Dental crowns ↗Implants hold the bridge, so healthy neighboring teeth stay untouched. Ideal for replacing several teeth in a row.
Dental implants ↗Old bridges that are loose, chipped or decayed underneath can be removed and replaced.
Missing many teeth? Dentures or implant-supported dentures may be a better fit.
Because Dr. Patel places implants herself, she can give you an honest comparison of a traditional bridge and an implant-supported bridge, and provide either one in the same office.
Her advanced training with the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the Kois Center focuses on restorations that fit precisely and keep your bite stable, so your bridge looks natural and lasts.
Patients from Frisco, Prosper and Celina choose us for clear options, written costs and evening and Saturday hours.
We check the gap and neighboring teeth, take X-rays and review options and costs.
The supporting teeth are numbed and shaped for crowns.
A 3D scan captures your teeth. You leave with a temporary bridge.
Your bridge is made to match the shape and shade of your smile.
We check the fit and bite, then permanently cement your bridge.
Three ways to replace missing teeth, each with trade-offs.
| Traditional bridge | Dental implant | Partial denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
| Neighboring teeth | Crowned for support | Left untouched | Clasps rest on them |
| Jawbone | Bone may shrink under the gap | Helps preserve bone | Bone continues to shrink |
| Treatment time | About 2 to 3 weeks | Several months | A few weeks |
| Typical lifespan | 10 to 15 years | Decades, often lifelong | 5 to 8 years |
| Up-front cost | Moderate | Higher | Lower |
Bridge appointments are done with the area fully numbed, and digital scanning means no trays of goopy impression material.
For implant-supported bridges or if you feel anxious, Dr. Patel offers IV sedation, which she administers and monitors herself.
With good care and regular checkups, a traditional bridge often lasts 10 to 15 years or longer. Implant-supported bridges can last even longer.
Brush twice a day and clean under the replacement tooth daily with a floss threader, water flosser or special bridge floss. We will show you how at your visit.
An implant does not affect neighboring teeth and helps preserve bone, while a traditional bridge is faster and usually costs less up front. If your neighboring teeth already need crowns, a bridge can be a great choice. Dr. Patel will help you weigh it.
The teeth are fully numbed during preparation, so most patients feel only pressure. Mild sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal.
Many PPO plans cover part of the cost of a bridge. Our team verifies your benefits and shows your out-of-pocket cost before treatment. Financing is available through CareCredit and Cherry.
Yes. Our office at 1521 N. Custer Road sits where McKinney, Frisco and Prosper meet, just off US-380, about 10 minutes from most of Prosper and an easy drive from Celina.
Dental bridges for patients in McKinney, Frisco, Prosper and Celina, TX.
Our McKinney dental office
1521 N. Custer Road
Suite 2900 · McKinney, TX 75071
(214) 945-1993| Monday – Tuesday | 11 AM – 7 PM |
| Wednesday | By appointment |
| Thursday | 11 AM – 7 PM |
| Friday – Saturday | 9 AM – 3 PM |
| Sunday | By appointment |
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New patient visits within 7 days · Most PPO insurance accepted · Evening & Saturday hours
