Dental bridges are a restorative treatment used to replace one or more missing teeth. By filling gaps in your smile, a bridge helps restore function, maintain proper bite alignment, and protect the health of your surrounding teeth.
Depending on your needs, bridges can be supported by crowns on neighboring teeth or secured to dental implants for added stability and long-term durability.
Summary: A dental bridge is a reliable way to replace missing teeth and support lasting oral health. Whether traditional or implant-supported, this treatment provides a fixed, natural-looking solution that helps you eat, speak, and smile with confidence
We offer high-quality dental bridges and implant-supported bridges at our dental office in Boulder, CO.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a custom-made restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. It typically includes one or more artificial teeth (pontics) that are anchored in place by dental crowns attached to the adjacent teeth (abutment teeth) or by dental implants.
Dental bridges help restore oral function, prevent bone loss, and preserve your smile by keeping neighboring teeth from shifting out of alignment.
Common Types of Dental Bridges
We offer several types of bridges, each tailored to your needs and goals:
- Traditional bridge: Anchored by crowns on the prepared teeth on either side of the gap. A reliable option for patients with strong adjacent teeth.
- Cantilever bridge: Used when only one adjacent tooth is available to support the bridge.
- Maryland bridge: A more conservative option that uses porcelain “wings” bonded to the back of neighboring teeth.
- Implant-supported bridge: Anchored by dental implants rather than natural teeth. Ideal for those missing multiple teeth or seeking a more permanent, stable solution.
We offer both in-office and lab-fabricated bridges made with advanced materials and techniques.
If you still have a tooth that needs removal, we will discuss the best timing for extraction and any bone grafting to prepare for your bridge. If your tooth has already been lost, we can start planning your restoration right away.
Getting Fitted for a Dental Bridge
Your visit begins with a detailed exam to evaluate your oral health and design a bridge that restores function and looks natural. Here is what you can expect during the process:
- Comprehensive exam: We evaluate your mouth with digital x-rays or 3D CBCT imaging to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy enough to support a bridge.
- Tooth preparation: We reshape the neighboring teeth to fit the crowns that will support your bridge. In some cases, your final bridge can be designed and placed the same day with our in-office CEREC system.
- Impressions and temporary bridge: If your bridge will be created by a dental lab, we take digital impressions and place a temporary bridge to protect your prepared teeth while the final restoration is made.
- Bridge placement: Your final bridge is bonded securely in place. We check the fit, bite, and appearance to ensure it feels comfortable and looks natural.
- Follow-up and Care: We provide detailed instructions on brushing, flossing, and maintaining your bridge so it lasts for many years.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridges: A Modern Alternative
If you are missing several teeth or have bone loss in the area, an implant-supported bridge may be the most effective solution.
This type of bridge uses dental implants placed in the jawbone to support the restoration, helping prevent further bone loss and maintain the integrity of your bite.
After the implants heal, we design and place your custom bridge right here at Broda Family Dental, ensuring a comfortable fit and natural appearance.
When Is an Implant-Supported Bridge Recommended?
Implant-supported bridges are typically used when you are missing three or more teeth in a row. Instead of placing an implant for each missing tooth, your dentist can place implants at each end of the space and attach a custom bridge over them.
This approach helps:
- Replace multiple teeth with fewer implants
- Reduce treatment costs and healing time
- Preserve bone in the area of tooth loss
- Restore strong chewing function and a natural appearance
For smaller gaps, like one or two missing teeth, individual implants with single crowns are often recommended instead of a bridge.
Benefits of an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
An implant-supported bridge offers lasting health and functional benefits:
- Restores strong chewing function and clear speech
- Maintains proper bite alignment and distributes biting forces evenly
- Prevents shifting or drifting of neighboring teeth
- Helps preserve jawbone density by stimulating bone where teeth are missing
- Reduces the risk of bone loss and facial collapse over time
- Feels stable and secure without relying on adjacent natural teeth for support
- Delivers a confident smile with a natural appearance
Getting an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
Replacing multiple missing teeth with an implant-supported bridge involves several steps to ensure a secure, natural-looking result. Here is what you can expect:
- Comprehensive evaluation: We begin with a detailed exam and 3D imaging to assess your bone quality, gum health, and the size of the gap to be restored. This allows us to plan precise implant placement and determine whether bone grafting is needed.
- Treatment planning: We will review your goals, explain your options, and create a personalized treatment plan outlining how many implants will be placed and the timeline for each step.
- Implant placement: The implants are surgically placed into the jawbone to act as artificial roots. In some cases, bone grafting may be needed before implant placement to build up areas with insufficient bone.
- Healing and integration: Over the next several months, the implants gradually fuse with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. During this healing phase, you may be given a temporary restoration to maintain the appearance of your smile.
- Impressions and bridge design: Once the implants are fully integrated, we take digital impressions to design your custom bridge. These impressions help ensure the final restoration fits comfortably and blends naturally with your surrounding teeth.
- Bridge placement: The completed bridge is attached securely to the implants. We check the fit, bite, and appearance to make sure everything feels comfortable and looks natural.
- Follow-up and care: You will receive detailed instructions on caring for your new implants and bridge, including brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular checkups to protect your implants and maintain long-term oral health.
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
With good daily habits and professional care, your dental bridge can last for many years. Here are practical steps you can take to protect your bridge and maintain your oral health:
- Brush twice daily: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean all surfaces of your teeth and your bridge. Pay special attention to the area where the bridge meets your gums to remove plaque.
- Floss under the bridge: Since plaque and food can collect underneath, use a floss threader, super floss, or a water flosser to clean under the bridge every day. This helps prevent decay and gum disease around the supporting teeth or implants.
- Schedule regular dental visits: Routine exams and professional cleanings are essential. We will monitor the health of your gums, the supporting teeth or implants, and the integrity of the bridge itself.
- Protect against teeth grinding: If you clench or grind your teeth at night, wearing a custom night guard can help protect your bridge from excessive wear and stress.
- Maintain implant follow-up: If you have an implant-supported bridge, consistent follow-up appointments are important to check the stability of your implants and the health of the surrounding bone.
- Watch for changes: Let us know if you notice any loosening, discomfort, or changes in the fit of your bridge. Early evaluation can help prevent more serious problems.
By following these steps, you can keep your bridge and your smile healthy for many years to come.
Restore Your Smile With Modern Solutions
We take a patient-centered approach to restorative care, offering durable dental bridges that look natural and feel comfortable. Every step is designed with your health, function, and long-term confidence in mind, so you can eat, speak, and smile without worry.
Key Takeaway: A dental bridge is a reliable, long-lasting way to replace missing teeth and protect your oral health. Whether supported by natural teeth or implants, this proven treatment helps you maintain proper bite alignment, preserve bone, and restore your smile for years to come.
Insurance and Membership Options
We are in-network with Delta Dental Premier, Cigna DPPO Plus, Anthem, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and we also accept patients with out-of-network benefits. For those without dental insurance, our in-house membership plan offers an affordable option for routine care.
Our office proudly serves Boulder and the surrounding communities of Superior, Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, and Erie.
To book an appointment at our dental office in Boulder, CO, call (303) 442-6141 or visit us at 777 29th St, Unit 300 Boulder, CO 80303.
FAQs
How long do dental bridges last?
With good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and ongoing maintenance, most dental bridges last for a lifetime.
Are dental bridges covered by insurance?
Many dental insurance plans cover part of the cost of a dental bridge, though coverage varies by plan. We will help you verify your benefits before treatment begins.
What’s the difference between a bridge and a partial denture?
A bridge is fixed in place and stays in the mouth permanently, while partial dentures are removable and often used temporarily. Bridges tend to feel more natural and stable.
Can I replace an old bridge?
If your current bridge is damaged or ill-fitting, we can evaluate and replace it with a more modern restoration.
Do I need a bone graft for an implant-supported bridge?
If you have experienced bone loss, we may recommend bone grafting to ensure the implants have enough support.
