Replace a Missing Tooth Without Surgery in Two Appointments.
A dental bridge replaces a missing tooth by anchoring an artificial tooth to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap, restoring your bite and closing the space in two appointments without surgery. Grand Prairie Family Dental, located in Grand Prairie TX, offers dental bridges and fixed tooth replacement under Dr. Behrooz Khademazad, DDS, who has practiced at this location since August 28, 1988. His approach is the same for every missing tooth case: evaluate both options honestly and recommend the one the clinical findings support.
If you have a missing tooth and are not sure whether a bridge or an implant is the right fit, you are not alone. Patients from Westchester and Trailwood come to Grand Prairie Family Dental with exactly that question. Most leave the consultation with a clear clinical recommendation and a written cost estimate before anything is scheduled.
What Is a Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that fills the gap left by a missing tooth by crowning the two teeth on either side and suspending an artificial tooth between them. The two anchor teeth, called abutments, support the bridge from both ends. The artificial tooth in the middle, called the pontic, is matched to the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth so the restoration blends in naturally. The American Dental Association recognizes dental bridges as a clinically validated option for replacing one or more missing teeth in appropriate candidates.
Grand Prairie Family Dental uses porcelain and zirconia as the standard bridge materials because both produce a natural appearance and hold up well under normal chewing forces. Dr. Khademazad matches the shade and contour of every bridge to the surrounding teeth before cementing the final restoration.
Types of Dental Bridges
Not all bridges are built the same and the right type depends on how many teeth are missing and the condition of the adjacent teeth. A traditional bridge is the most common and most durable option, using two crowned anchor teeth to support the artificial tooth between them. A cantilever bridge anchors to only one adjacent tooth and is used when a second anchor tooth is not available. An implant-supported bridge replaces multiple missing teeth using dental implants rather than natural teeth as anchors, which avoids altering healthy adjacent teeth entirely.
Dr. Khademazad evaluates the health and strength of the adjacent teeth before recommending the appropriate bridge type. A Maryland bridge, which bonds to the backs of adjacent teeth with minimal preparation, is an option for front teeth in specific situations. The consultation identifies which type is clinically appropriate for your specific gap before any treatment is discussed.
What to Expect During Bridge Treatment
Bridge treatment at Grand Prairie Family Dental is completed in two appointments over two to three weeks. At the first appointment Dr. Khademazad prepares the anchor teeth by reshaping them to accommodate the crown portion of the bridge, takes a precise digital scan or impression, and places a temporary bridge to protect the prepared teeth. The permanent bridge is fabricated in a restorative dental laboratory while the temporary is in place.
At the second appointment the temporary bridge is removed, the fit and shade of the permanent bridge are verified, and it is cemented into place. Dr. Khademazad checks the bite carefully before the appointment ends. Most patients leave the second appointment with a fully cemented restoration that feels natural under normal chewing pressure.
