Dental Bridge in Albuquerque, NM
The Rio Puerco is a small river that flows into the much larger Rio Grande. This river is known for its severe flooding and dark, silty water, which made it difficult to cross. Then, in 1933, the Federal Government commissioned the Rio Puerco Bridge to help with intercontinental travel. This bridge, unlike the unsuccessful bridges built before it, was made to withstand the notorious Rio Puerco flooding. When looking to fill the gaps in your smile, dentists had a similar idea! To replace missing teeth, you need a strong structure that handles the pressure of biting and chewing. Dental bridges do just that, using your remaining teeth for support. Just like the Rio Puerco Bridge connects to land on either side, a dental bridge connects to teeth on either side of the gap in your smile.
At Sunshine Dental, we provide dental bridges for patients looking to restore their smiles. For a solution as strong as the Rio Puerco Bridge, visit us in Albuquerque, NM, for a free consultation!
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a structural appliance that “bridges” the gap in your smile.
When missing teeth, it’s important to find prompt replacements. Tooth loss can have unfortunate effects on your oral and overall health, such as:
- Difficulties chewing: To break down food, you need a strong and stable bite. But with gaps in your smile, your ability to chew may be affected! Some foods become more difficult to eat, potentially forcing patients like you to alter their diets.
- Shifting teeth: When missing teeth, your remaining teeth tend to shift around in your mouth. As teeth move towards the gap in your smile, your bite becomes misaligned, and your smile may become more difficult to clean.
- Jawbone loss: Natural teeth have roots that embed in your jawbone. These roots not only keep your smile in place, but they also stimulate your jawbone to keep it healthy and full. When you lose teeth, you lose stimulation, causing your jaw to lose mass and volume over time.
Fortunately, a dental bridge replaces missing teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges
At Sunshine Dental in Albuquerque, NM, we have a variety of dental bridge options.
Traditional Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge is a structure that spans the gap in your smile using adjacent teeth for support. The replacement teeth, called pontics, are supported on either side by dental crowns, which secure over healthy teeth.
To crown a tooth, we have to remove a small layer of enamel on all sides to make room. However, this process is permanent, as enamel doesn’t grow back. If your bridge falls off or breaks, it will need prompt replacement.
Cantilver Bridges
A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, but with one crown for support.
When you only have one healthy tooth adjacent to the gap in your smile, a cantilever bridge uses that tooth as an anchor.
While using one crown for support is stable, it’s less secure than a traditional bridge. Typically, a cantilever bridge supports only one pontic, replacing one tooth at a time.
Maryland Bridge
When looking for a more conservative option that doesn’t require altering your healthy teeth, we use a Maryland bridge.
Instead of using crowns for support, this bridge has small metal or ceramic “wings” that attach to the back of neighboring teeth.
However, Maryland bridges are best for front teeth, as they can’t withstand the chewing pressure that molars take.
Implant-Supported Bridges
For the most secure dental bridge solution, we reccomend implant-supported bridges. Rather than using your adjacent teeth for support, an implant bridge relies on dental implants.
Dental implants are titanium screws that we secure in your jawbone. These posts not only replace your missing tooth roots (which keeps your jawbone healthy), but they also serve as a strong foundation for dental bridges. Depending on your needs, an implant bridge can replace any number of teeth, including a full arch!
At Sunshine Dental, we understand that oral surgeries can be frightening for some patients. Fortunately, we use minimally invasive implants that help restore your smile without all the hassle.
The Advantages of a Mini Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
Mini dental implants are the smaller and sleeker version of conventional dental implants. Thanks to their unique design, these implants offer patients incredible advantages over other solutions, like:
- Greater implant eligibility: Conventional dental implants require sufficient bone support, which most patients don’t have. Rather than undergoing additional procedures to rebuild lost bone, patients can use mini implants instead! These small titanium posts secure in minimal bone, often without the need for bone augmentation.
- Less invasive procedure: Many patients want to avoid invasive surgical procedures. Thankfully, mini implants use a minimally invasive placement process! Instead of making incisions and drilling large holes in your bone, we can simply create a small pilot hole through your gums and bone to fit the implant post.
- More comfortable recovery: Because of their less invasive process, mini implants allow for faster and more comfortable healing. This gentle placement method disturbs fewer of the tissues surrounding your implant, resulting in minimal post-operative discomfort.
- Faster final results: Thanks to their innovative one-piece design and simpler placement, mini implants can support temporary restorations the same day we place them. Additionally, rather than waiting months for your gums and bone to heal around the implant, you can enjoy a final restoration in just a few weeks.
- More affordable prices: In contrast to conventional implants, mini implants are much more affordable, thanks to their simple design and placement process. In most cases, these implants are even half the cost of their conventional counterparts.
Fill The Gaps in Your Smile With a Dental Bridge!
Like structural bridges, dental bridges span gaps and withstand pressure. In Albuquerque, NM, Sunshine Dental provides an array of bridge options to suit all patients, regardless of their needs. The most secure bridge option is a mini implant-supported bridge. With this restoration, patients can enjoy a stable smile free of gaps, without the hassle of invasive surgeries and long healing periods.
Book a free consultation today to learn if you’re eligible for mini dental implant treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of your dental bridge depends on a few factors.
The bridge restoration you want plays a big role in the price of your procedure. Traditional bridges are less expensive, while implant-bridges are more pricey thanks to their high-quality materials. The number of teeth you’re replacing also makes an impact. The more teeth you replace, the more expensive your dental bridge will be.
While some dental bridges are covered by insurance, others may not be. Dental implant bridges, for example, typically aren’t covered, leaving patients with out-of-pocket costs. Fortunately, Sunshine Dental offers an in-house membership program that helps reduce the price! Additionally, we partner with third-party financing companies that help you split your costs into more manageable monthly payments.
If you have any questions about costs or financing, please reach out to our office.
Dental bridges are not removable. While traditional bridges are cemented in place with dental crowns, implant bridges are permanently supported by dental implants.
If your bridge falls off or breaks, you need to schedule an emergency appointment with Sunshine Dental. From there, we’ll provide immediate care and help repair or replace your restoration.
All dental bridges require an oral hygiene routine, including flossing. Unlike flossing natural teeth, dental bridges require special flossing instruments to reach below the restoration. Using a floss threader or a water flosser, you can reach hard-to-reach spots under your bridge to gently clean them.
This is an important step in your hygiene routine, so make sure not to skip flossing under your prosthetic. Without proper care, you risk infections like gum disease and decay.