Do you have a visible gap left by missing teeth? Are you looking for a way to bring balance to your smile? A dental bridge is a restorative dentistry procedure that can typically replace one to four consecutive missing teeth. Dental bridges restore the appearance of a uniform smile and also help patients bite, speak, and chew comfortably. Restorative dentist Dr. Rachel Barone provides dental bridge treatment to her patients in Boulder, CO.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dr. Barone may recommend a dental bridge if you are missing one or more teeth in a row. Bridges are a reliable and natural-looking way to restore your smile while improving your oral health. They offer many advantages for both your appearance and the function of your teeth. Bridges:
- Restore your teeth: Bridges fill the gap left by missing teeth, giving you a complete and natural-looking smile. A full smile can boost your confidence and make you feel more comfortable in social or professional situations. With a dental bridge, your teeth look even and natural, so no one will notice the missing tooth.
- Maintain your face shape: Missing teeth can cause your facial structure to change over time. When teeth are gone, your jawbone may shrink, and your cheeks can appear sunken. A dental bridge helps support your facial muscles and keeps your face looking fuller and more youthful.
- Prevent teeth from shifting: Without a tooth in place, your remaining teeth may drift into the empty space. This can lead to misalignment, bite problems, and even jaw pain over time. A bridge keeps your teeth properly spaced, protects your bite, and prevents future dental issues.
- Improve chewing and speaking: Missing teeth can make it hard to eat certain foods or speak clearly. Bridges restore your ability to bite and chew evenly, allowing you to enjoy a normal diet again. They also help you pronounce words correctly, so your speech remains natural and clear.
- Create an even bite: When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth take on extra pressure, which can cause wear or damage. A dental bridge spreads the forces of your bite evenly across your teeth. This helps protect your natural teeth and ensures your bite works properly to reduce discomfort and strain on your jaw.
We recommend a bridge if you have multiple missing teeth that make it hard for you to bite, chew, or speak. Getting a bridge to fill the gap left by one or more lost teeth can also give you a confidence boost.
Types of Dental Bridges
Each type is designed to restore missing teeth while maintaining the function and appearance of your smile. Choosing the right bridge depends on the number of teeth missing, the location in your mouth, and the condition of your surrounding teeth.
The most common types of bridges include:
- Traditional Bridge: This is the most common type of dental bridge. It uses one or more crowns on the teeth next to the gap to hold the replacement tooth or teeth in place. Traditional bridges are strong, durable, and ideal for patients with healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth.
- Cantilever Bridge: A cantilever bridge is used when there is only one healthy tooth next to the missing tooth. The bridge is anchored to that single tooth, which supports the replacement tooth. Dentists recommend this type of bridge when the area of the missing tooth doesn’t have teeth on both sides, such as the back of the mouth.
- Maryland Bridge: A Maryland bridge, also called a resin-bonded bridge, is a more conservative option. It uses metal or porcelain wings that attach to the back of the neighboring teeth. Because it requires less tooth preparation, it’s best for front teeth or when patients want to preserve more of their natural tooth structure.
Our office offers traditional and implant-supported bridges for patients.
Dental Bridge Treatment in Boulder, CO
We work with patients to help determine if removable or fixed dental bridges are the right option for them. Sometimes, the remaining gum and bone tissue can impact the decision. Dental bridges can be removable or fixed. Removable dental bridges are oral appliances that connect to existing teeth. These bridges typically use false teeth on a gum-colored base that wraps around teeth with wires.
Non-removable fixed dental bridges use adjacent teeth to hold a pontic in place. The pontic, or false tooth, restores the gap left by the missing tooth. Patients can also receive one or multiple dental implants if they have enough jaw bone to support the titanium implant posts.
To begin dental bridge treatment, Dr. Barone will take a dental impression of your teeth to create a temporary bridge. Then she will prepare the teeth on both sides of the gap. These teeth will support the new tooth or teeth. Dr. Barone will take another impression of the prepared teeth for the final bridge.
She provides patients with their temporary dental bridge while technicians create the final bridge. Once the final bridge is complete, Dr. Barone removes the temporary bridge and places the completed bridge.
Implant Bridge
If patients are interested in implant-secured bridges, Dr. Barone will ensure their candidacy for treatment and work with an oral surgeon to place the implants.
She’ll check your overall oral health and make sure you have enough healthy jawbone to support dental implants. When implants are needed, Dr. Barone works closely with a trusted oral surgeon who places the implant posts into the jawbone. These posts act like natural tooth roots and provide strong support for the bridge.
An implant bridge is a great option for replacing several missing teeth in a row. Because the bridge is secured to implants, it stays firmly in place and does not rely on nearby natural teeth for support. This helps protect your remaining teeth while restoring your ability to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
Restore Your Smile
Are your missing teeth making it difficult to eat the foods you enjoy? Replace one or more missing teeth with a dental bridge today. Call Gunbarrel Dental Center today at 720-881-0614 or request a dental appointment with us online.
Please let Dr. Barone know if you have questions about dental bridge treatment. She’ll be glad to help.