A missing tooth can significantly impact your smile, affecting both its appearance and functionality. At Dr. Mark Johnson’s clinic in Albuquerque, we understand how important a complete smile is to your confidence and overall dental health. Our comprehensive dental bridge treatments are designed to restore your smile’s natural look and function, enabling you to chew, speak, and smile with ease.
Types of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges come in a variety of styles to suit different needs, which include:
Traditional Bridges: These are the most common type, consisting of a false tooth (pontic) held in place by crowns on the adjacent teeth. Traditional bridges are ideal for patients with healthy, natural teeth surrounding the gap, providing a strong, long-lasting solution.
Cantilever Bridges: These bridges are similar to traditional options, but they are supported by a crown on only one side of the missing tooth. Cantilever bridges are useful when only one neighboring tooth is available to support the bridge.
Maryland Bridges: These bridges consist of a pontic with wings on each side, which are bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth. Maryland bridges require less preparation than traditional or cantilever bridges, making them a less invasive option. However, they are usually only suitable for restoring front teeth due to their limited strength.
Implant-Supported Bridges: For patients with multiple missing teeth, implant-supported bridges are an excellent option. These bridges are anchored directly to dental implants placed in the jawbone, offering maximum stability and durability. Implant-supported bridges do not rely on neighboring teeth, making them ideal for those lacking sufficient dental support.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges offer a range of benefits, including:
- Improved Appearance: A dental bridge fills in the gaps, restoring the natural appearance of your smile and boosting your confidence.
- Enhanced Functionality: Bridges restore the ability to chew and speak clearly, improving your quality of life. They also help maintain the natural shape of your face by preventing bone loss and sagging.
- Preventing Teeth from Shifting: A missing tooth can cause neighboring teeth to shift out of alignment, leading to further dental issues. Dental bridges prevent this by holding your teeth in place.
- Durability: With proper care, dental bridges can last many years, providing a long-term solution to missing teeth.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
Dr. Johnson’s dental bridge procedure is straightforward, ensuring patient comfort throughout. During the initial consultation, Dr. Johnson evaluates your dental health, discusses your options, and helps you choose the right bridge type for your needs.
For traditional, cantilever, and Maryland bridges, the adjacent teeth are prepared by reshaping them to fit the crowns or wings. For implant-supported bridges, implants are surgically placed into the jawbone and left to heal before the bridge can be attached. Next, Dr. Johnson takes an impression of your teeth to create a custom bridge that fits perfectly in your mouth.
While your custom bridge is fabricated, a temporary bridge may be placed to protect the prepared teeth or implants. Once the custom bridge is ready, you return to Dr. Johnson’s office so that he can permanently secure the bridge in place, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit.
Restore Your Smile with a Dental Bridge
Don’t let missing teeth impact your smile and confidence. Contact Dr. Johnson’s office at 505-922-9511 to schedule a consultation in Albuquerque. Our skilled team is ready to provide you with a personalized dental bridge solution that will restore your smile’s natural look and functionality.