New Patients 970.205.9614

Current Patients 970.351.6500

5150 W 20th St Greeley, CO 80634

Dental Bridges Greeley, CO

Dr. Thompson, your dentist in Greeley, Colorado, is an experienced restorative dentist for all ages. Our specialty is restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. A dental implant, dental bridge, or implant-secured bridge replaces one or several consecutive teeth.

A dental bridge will give back natural function and aesthetics when designed and placed by an experienced restorative dentist. Whatever your needs, Dr. Joseph Thompson can provide experienced dental care and a lasting result.

Traditional Vs. Implant Dentures

Our office provides both the traditional, removable type of bridge and those supported by dental implants. When Dr. Thompson creates your personalized treatment plan, he’ll determine which of these types is best suited for you.

Traditional Bridges

Traditional bridges probably come to mind when you think of a dental bridge. They’re removable, replacing anywhere from one to multiple consecutive teeth, and use natural teeth on either side of the span to anchor the bridge in place. Because they don’t require a surgical procedure, you can get a traditional bridge faster than an implant-supported restoration. With the time for the lab to create them, the whole process takes about two to three weeks.

They’re more cost-effective, too. If you’re on a budget, traditional bridges are more affordable. Implant-supported bridges are more expensive because of the surgical procedure involved. They’re non-invasive, though. If you have dental fear and anxiety, you’ll probably be more wary of a surgical process.

However, traditional bridges are hard on the anchor teeth they have to use. Anchor teeth are more likely to experience premature wear, tooth decay, and damage. To combat this, we recommend dental crowns for each of the anchor teeth. Instead of the natural tooth taking on the stress of bridge support, the dental crowns do instead. We do have to remove a significant amount of tooth structure to place a dental crown.

With a traditional bridge, your jawbone will continue to deteriorate because you aren’t replacing your tooth root. They’re a less expensive option upfront, but you’ll likely need to readjust or replace them in the future so that they continue to fit properly. They have a shorter lifespan than implant-supported bridges, of about 5-15 years. You don’t get back as much of your bite function, either. There may be certain foods that you’ll have to remove from your diet.

Implant-Supported Bridges

Instead of your natural teeth supporting this type of bridge, we place two dental implants for support. Unlike traditional bridges, implant-supported ones are permanent fixtures in your mouth. You don’t have to remove them to clean them. One of the biggest benefits is that you’re able to brush and floss these like you would your natural teeth. We may need to give you a special tool to floss under the bridge, but that’s the only extra step you’ll need.

Every dental implant you have brings benefits to your oral health. It’s the only restoration that replaces the tooth root. Replacing the tooth root prevents the jawbone from deteriorating any further than it already has. It also gives you more stability and bite function, meaning you can consume a balanced, healthy diet more easily.

The biggest downsides of implant-supported bridges are the timeframe and the cost. Because it requires surgery, the whole process takes longer. The implant posts have to heal for 3-6 months after we place them in the jawbone before we can progress with the other stages of the process. Surgery makes the restoration a bit more costly, too. However, you won’t incur more costs in the future, because your jawbone won’t deteriorate. These bridges have a longer lifespan.

Implant-supported bridges don’t compromise your natural teeth. They don’t require any support or anything from adjoining teeth because the implants take on everything. We also don’t have to minimize tooth structure to prepare the teeth for any restoration.

About the Dental Bridge Process

Dr. Thompson will evaluate all aspects of your oral health and the stability of your bite before recommending treatment options to restore lost teeth.

The process for the placement of a dental bridge will vary depending on whether dental implants are being used to secure the bridge. If dental implants are being placed, we will schedule and complete the surgical phase and allow several weeks or months to heal the gums and soft tissues properly. The next step is to take impressions and begin the design of your new teeth.

If your existing natural teeth are being used to anchor the bridge, Dr. Thompson will remove enough tooth structure to accommodate the placement of dental crowns as part of the bridge. The dentist takes dental impressions that the lab uses to design your new bridge. It blends in perfectly with your smile.

Once the bridge is ready or your dental implant restoration is complete, we will schedule a final visit for placement. You will leave our office after this visit with a beautiful new smile in place and a renewed confidence in your smile.


Dental Bridge FAQs

How many teeth can be in a bridge?

Bridges can replace multiple teeth. A traditional dental bridge can replace up to 4 teeth that sit next to each other. A dental implant-supported bridge can permanently replace any number of teeth.

Are dental bridges painful?

No. They should not cause you pain or discomfort if fabricated properly. Dr. Thompson uses digital technology to provide accurate and seamless results. It can feel weird if this is your first time using dental bridges. Give yourself a couple of days or a week or two. Your mouth will adjust to wearing your dental bridge. If you start to feel pain after a while, contact us.

How is a bridge attached?

Traditional bridges are attached to neighboring teeth with dental crowns. Dental implants support implant-supported bridges for permanent, non-removable restoration.

Does a dental bridge damage your teeth?

If you get a removable, traditional bridge, the dentist shaves your teeth down. This helps the crowns that hold the bridge stay in place. Alternatively, no teeth are damaged if you decide on an implant-supported bridge.

What happens if you get a cavity under a bridge?

If you develop a tooth infection under your bridge, we can fix cavities with fillings. This does not happen if you do your part by brushing at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and maintaining your bridge.

Does a dental bridge feel natural?

Yes. Today’s modern dental bridges are as natural-looking as ever. Visit your dentist for the best results, and avoid using cheaper, over-the-counter options.

What causes pain under a dental bridge?

Many issues cause pain. Irritated gums, a loose bridge, gum infections, and tooth cavities can contribute to pain under a tooth bridge. Visit our dentist for a thorough evaluation and recommendations before assuming what you need.

Schedule A Dental Bridge Consultation

Replacing missing teeth is important for many reasons, not just the stability of your dental health. If you have missing teeth and would like to explore your treatment options, schedule a visit with your dentist in Greeley, CO at Thompson Advanced Dentistry. We welcome new patients from Greeley and many local communities. Contact our office at 970.205.9614 or request an appointment online.