An average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has at least one missing tooth or three diseased teeth that will eventually fall off. If you have tooth loss, this affects how you communicate and function in life. Dental bridges are an effective tooth replacement option to help you overcome tooth loss. At Piney Creek Family Dentistry, we custom make all dental bridges to resemble the shape, look, and function of your natural teeth.
A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.
Types of Dental Bridges
Dr. Tiffany Fritz and the team offer several dental bridge options to suit different patients’ needs. The two common types of bridges include:
- Traditional bridges: A traditional fixed bridge comprises artificial teeth (pontic) anchored by crowns on either side of the gap. Dr. Fritz prefers porcelain material for dental bridges because it can be color-matched to resemble the shade of your natural teeth.
- Implant-supported bridge: These bridges are similar to traditional bridges but are held in place by implants instead of adjacent teeth. While implant bridges are preferred, patients must wait for several months to allow the implant to heal and fuse with the bone.
If you are missing one or more teeth in a row, a dental bridge can perfectly fill in the gap. Dental bridges are versatile enough to replace missing teeth anywhere in your mouth. Whether you need a dental bridge in the front or back teeth, it’s versatile enough to do the job.
The dental bridge process
You need to commit to at least 2-3 dental appointments to benefit from a traditional bridge. During the first appointment, we evaluate your missing teeth and general dental health to ensure you are free from cavities and gum disease.
If all is good to go, we file down the healthy teeth (abutment) on either side of the gap. We prepare these teeth to ensure they can hold dental crowns to support a bridge. Next, we take your bite impressions and create molds used by a dental lab to fabricate your appliances. We will install a temporary bridge over the prepped teeth until your dental bridges are ready.
After your dental bridge is ready, you will book another appointment for fitment. We usually make several adjustments to ensure your bite feels natural. Finally, we use dental cement and curing light to bond your dental bridge in place.
Overcome tooth loss with natural-looking dental bridges
Want to discover how dental bridges can benefit your dental health in Centennial, CO? Please dial (303) 562-1051 to book an appointment with Piney Creek Family Dentistry. We offer several dental bridge options to replace your missing teeth.