Dental Bridge in Fort Collins, CO
Dental bridges in Fort Collins, CO, are a popular tooth replacement option when you are missing a single tooth or two or more consecutive teeth on the same arch. Besides enhancing your appearance and smile, dental bridges help restore your chewing function and improve your oral health. Dental bridges consist of a crown that fits over your natural teeth and an artificial replacement tooth that bridges the gap in your smile.
Dr. Allison Jung has years of experience with inserting dental bridges. Should you decide to move forward with this tooth replacement option, Dr. Jung will show you several shades of artificial teeth. You can select the one that most closely resembles the shade of your natural teeth to keep your dental bridge as discreet as possible.
Other parts of a dental bridge
Dental bridges contain an abutment and a pontic, in addition to a crown and replacement tooth. Abutments support the bridge and provide structure. The pontic refers to the artificial tooth or teeth that cover the gap in your smile. Your dental bridge may consist of one abutment and one pontic or several of each, depending on the location of your missing teeth and the type of dental bridge you receive.
Dental Bridge Types
Dr. Jung believes the most common type of dental bridge is the traditional one. This type includes dental crowns on each end with an artificial tooth or teeth in between the ends. Dr. Jung uses industrial-grade dental adhesive to bond the crowns to the back of the teeth and to the left and right of your missing tooth. The pontics fill the space and look and function like natural teeth. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth must be healthy enough and have strong enamel to support the attached dental equipment.
Cantilever dental bridge
The Cantilever dental bridge is most appropriate for people with only one natural tooth to support the pontic, abutment, and crown. Dr. Jung bonds the bridge to your natural tooth when placing this type of bridge. The artificial tooth then hangs over the gap in your smile since it has only one natural tooth to help support it.
Implant-supported dental bridge
Implant-supported bridges sit on top of dental implants, while traditional bridges sit on top of natural teeth. Dental implants, which are tiny titanium posts screwed into your jawbone, replace the roots of missing teeth. Before Dr. Jung attaches a dental bridge and implant together, you must wait three to six months for the implants to merge with your jawbone. We refer to this process as osseointegration. You need to have at least three consecutive missing teeth to obtain this type of dental bridge.
Maryland dental bridge
Also known as a resin-bonded bridge, the Maryland type relies on metal wings rather than crowns to remain securely in place. Dr. Jung bonds the metal wings to the back of the supporting teeth to support the new artificial teeth. The Maryland bridge is most appropriate for replacing the missing front teeth because they are not strong enough to withstand the pressure that comes from chewing your food.
How to Determine Which Type of Dental Bridge is Right for You
Dr. Jung considers the factors listed below before determining which type of dental bridge is right for your situation.
- How many teeth you are missing and the size of the gap they left behind
- The overall health of your teeth and gums
- The location of your missing teeth
- The strength and durability of the teeth on either side of a missing tooth
- Whether you have a natural tooth on the left and right side of the missing tooth
- Your age
Dr. Jung also considers your preferences and will install the dental bridge you would like if your circumstances warrant it.
What to Expect When Receiving a Dental Bridge
The steps Dr. Jung follows depend on the type of dental bridge you are receiving. You always receive anesthesia at the start of the procedure to ensure your comfort.
With a traditional Maryland, or cantilever bridge, she reshapes your supporting natural teeth by removing a small amount of tooth enamel. She sends your dental impressions to our laboratory so that a technician can create a customized bridge for you and place a temporary one. You come back to the office of Allison Jung Family Dentistry for Dr. Jung to remove the temporary bridge and bond the permanent one in place.
Implant-supported dental bridges require several appointments, with one of those being a surgical procedure. You will have a break in appointments after Dr. Jung places the implant screws. Once your jaw has healed, Dr. Jung follows the same procedure as she does with the other types of dental bridges in Fort Collins, CO.
Please contact us with additional questions or to request a consultation.
