If you are missing one or more teeth, it is important to have them replaced as soon as possible. Filling in the gaps in your smile can eliminate the development of gum disease, tooth decay, and shifting teeth, all of which can lead to even further damage to your oral health.
Thompson Advanced Dentistry is a local dentist office in Greeley, CO, offering many solutions for missing teeth. Dr. Joseph Thompson often recommends a dental bridge to replace one or several consecutive missing teeth. If you are looking for a tooth replacement option, Dr. Thompson is currently welcoming patients from the surrounding areas, including Evans, CO.
What is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges typically “bridge” a gap between teeth when missing one or several teeth. A bridge is made up of prosthetic teeth that are fused together. Anchors hold them in place in the mouth, which can be adjacent teeth or dental implants.
Types of Dental Bridges
Traditional Bridges – The most common type of bridge consists of a dental crown, the replacement tooth (called the pontic), and another dental crown. They are fused together in a row. We cement the two dental crowns to two anchor teeth located on both sides of the gap. The dentist grinds down these anchor teeth to accommodate the crowns. This and the additional stress placed on these teeth could lead to the formation of tooth decay or irreversible damage.
Cantilever bridges – Usually, we don’t use this type of bridge. It involves using only one anchor tooth on one side of the gap. Because of this, it is not as durable as a traditional bridge. We don’t use a cantilever bridge for back teeth since those teeth use a lot of force. Therefore, they usually only replace a front tooth.
Maryland Bridge – Where a traditional bridge uses dental crowns on the anchor teeth, a Maryland bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework that is bonded to the back of the abutment teeth. We don’t need to grind down and significantly reduce anchor teeth to accommodate the framework.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
An implant-supported dental bridge is the most natural way to replace missing consecutive teeth. Dr. Thompson offers full services for dental implants at his Evans, CO area dentist office. He uses the latest techniques and incorporates digital technology to ensure the best possible results.
An implant-supported dental bridge has a 35% higher success rate than a traditional dental bridge. This type of restoration uses dental implants as anchors instead of your healthy, remaining teeth. We surgically place the implants in the jaw bone, providing a durable foundation for the bridgework.
There are many advantages to choosing this option over a traditional bridge. The implants in the jaw bone will replace the tooth roots. This promotes continued bone growth and prevents bone loss and gum recession.
Schedule a Consultation
Thompson Advanced Dentistry offers consultations to discuss your missing teeth and the available solutions. We offer dental bridges in our Evans, CO area dentist office as an effective solution. Call us today at 970.205.9614 to schedule an appointment, or you can schedule an appointment online.