Dental Bridges
If you have missing teeth, you may have trouble with simple tasks like eating, speaking, and smiling.
Drs. David J. Tasch and Mike Meek can replace your missing teeth and improve your quality of life with a natural-looking dental bridge.
Learn how our Austin, TX, dental practice can use the latest in dental bridge technology to transform your smile.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are designed to repair the gap left by one to three missing teeth. A traditional bridge consists of pontics (artificial replacement teeth) held in place by crowns attached to abutment teeth (the natural teeth on either side of the gap).
Superior Restorative Dentistry The 38th Street Dental Approach
Restorative dentistry can be complicated, so it is important to seek treatment from skilled, detail-oriented professionals. Drs. Tasch and Meek at 38th Street Dental are known for their exceptional level of high-quality care. If you are ready to stop suffering with an incomplete smile, then contact our Austin, TX, practice today. You can schedule a one-on-one consultation with our dentists by sending us a message online, or by calling:
(512) 458-6222
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Eric Malnassy
2021
Dr. Meek has been my dentist for well over 20 years, and it’s because he gives excellent care. I recommend him highly to anyone who wants the best dentist in the Austin area.
View on GoogleMohan Rao
2021
Competence, flexibility and conscientiousness are qualities I have come to expect out of Dr. Tasch and 38th Street Dental. I went there for post-implant restoration and they did not disappoint.
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Your Dental Bridge Options
A traditional dental bridge has dental crowns at both ends to hold the pontics (the false teeth) in place. This restoration is best for patients with healthy natural teeth on both sides of the gap in their dental arch.
A cantilever bridge is designed to replace missing teeth located at the end of the dental arch. These restorations are used when there is only one healthy tooth adjacent to the gap, and rely on a single crown to support the pontics.
Our Austin practice is proud to offer premium implant-supported bridges. Dental implants are titanium posts placed in the jaw to replace missing tooth roots. They fuse to your bone and provide a secure foundation for your custom-made bridge.
Dental Bridge Candidacy
During your consultation at our Austin practice, we will go over several factors to help you determine the type of bridge that's right for you.
Extent of Tooth Loss
First, we will talk about options for the number of teeth you are missing. If you have more than three missing teeth, a partial denture may be a better form of treatment. If you have one missing tooth we may recommend an implant-supported crown as a more suitable alternative to a traditional bridge.
Abutment Teeth
Next, our dentist will assess the condition of your natural teeth. The teeth on either side of the gap in your smile need to be strong enough to support a traditional bridge. If these teeth are compromised by a large filling or decay, we may suggest extractions and an implant-supported partial denture instead.
Jawbone Density
Implant-supported bridges require a strong, healthy jawbone to be successful. If you have suffered jaw recession due to long-term tooth loss, you may be better suited for a traditional bridge than dental implants. However, it may be possible to restore your candidacy with bone grafting, which we can coordinate with an oral surgeon. It is important to note that even traditional bridges can require bone grafting if the bone recession is advanced.
Overall Health
Implants involve a surgical procedure. If you smoke or suffer from conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, you may be at an increased risk for complications during treatment. Our dentists will review your medical history so we can determine if an implant-supported or traditional bridge will be right for you.
Placing a Traditional Dental Bridge
Here's what to expect when receiving a bridge at our Austin, TX, practice:
Our bridges are handcrafted from premium materials to mimic the color and shape of your natural teeth.
What about Implants?
If you are interested in an implant-supported bridge, your treatment will look much different. We will coordinate the initial portion of the procedure with a trusted local oral surgeon to ensure the most successful implant results. After you recover from the first phase, our Austin practice will take over the design and restoration aspect of your treatment, providing you with a stunning, custom-made bridge.
Carolyn Cadena
2021
Love going to 38th Street Dental! Sadie, my hygienist has such a gentle touch, I almost fall asleep in the chair. Dr. Meek is great; I've been going to him for years. The office staff is also super and will readily assist me with any financial and insurance questions I might have.
View on GoogleMohan Rao
2021
Once again 38th Street Dental came through with flying colors. The plan was to get a temporary after tooth extraction in a few days but when Dr. Tasch found out that I was to attend a memorial service shortly he spent an hour putting a shorter term temporary then and there, without extra charge. That's above and beyond!
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