Dental Bridges – Albuquerque, NM
Creating Gap-Free Smiles
It is believed that more than 178 million Americans are living with at least one missing tooth. This alarming statistic is why dentists offer effective tooth replacement options to fill in gaps and improve the health, function, and aesthetics of patients’ smiles. At the dental office of Dr. Monica Boehmer, she is pleased to provide dental bridges in Albuquerque for individuals who prefer a safe, minimally invasive form of treatment. Designed to replace one or more missing teeth in a row, it is fully customized to ensure beautiful results. Call us to learn more about dental bridges so that you can take care of the gap in your smile for good.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a custom-made prosthetic that consists of artificial teeth that are used to fill in the gaps left behind by missing teeth. When one or more consecutive teeth fall out or are extracted from the upper or lower arch, this uniquely designed set of teeth can be crafted to attach to healthy abutment structures on either side of the gap, while the remaining pontics (artificial teeth) sit on top of the gums. Because they are often made using lifelike materials that mimic natural tooth enamel, it is often difficult for anyone to tell the difference between your real and artificial teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges
When meeting with Dr. Boehmer to discuss the idea of a dental bridge, you will learn that there are two options available – a fixed dental bridge or an implant bridge. After completing a thorough examination of your smile, she will determine which one is right for your unique needs:
Traditional Dental Bridge
Using healthy abutment teeth on either side of the gap as anchors, a fixed bridge is secured over these teeth so that the prosthetic remains bonded into place. The artificial teeth that bridge the two crowns are designed to sit on top of the gums to create the image of a fully restored smile.
Implant Bridge
Unlike a fixed bridge that only replaces the visible portions of teeth, an implant bridge goes beneath the gumline to restore the roots. Using titanium posts called dental implants, which are placed in the outer sockets of the gap, they fuse with the jawbone to create a stable base before a custom-made bridge is secured on top using metal abutments.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge?
No matter which type of dental bridge you choose, there are many great benefits that you can expect to enjoy, such as:
- The ability to keep healthy, natural teeth in place instead of having them shift and cause bite alignment issues
- An easy way to maintain your real and artificial teeth, as dental bridges can be cleaned using similar materials
- A prosthetic that will last 10-15 years or up to a lifetime if you choose an implant bridge
- A more confident and beautiful appearance because of the natural, lifelike materials that are used