Dental Bridges

Dental bridges: Denver Dentistry, Highlands Ranch Dentistry

Definitions of Dental Bridges- Highlands Ranch Dentistry

There are three parts to a dental bridge.  The easiest to describe is the spanning structure called the pontic.  Attached to both ends of the pontic and attached to the tooth are the abutments.  The abutments are like thimbles that fit over the reduced tooth structure called the crown or bridge preparation.The teeth on either side of the spaces are what hold the bridge in place.

Procedure for a dental bridge first visit dentist Highlands Ranch

The procedures for a dental bridge include but are not limited to:

• Getting the area numb
• Shaping your tooth so a crown (abutment) can fit over it
• Taking an impression of these prepared teeth and making a model to show their relationship between each tooth and the space
• Making a temporary bridge to protect the tooth and hold the space. (Teeth want to drift apart)
• Cementing the temporary bridge with temporary cement (this cement is NOT strong so be careful.)  We want a weak cement so we can easily remove your temporary at the next visit.
• Send impression to dental laboratory
• Two or three weeks go by while the dental laboratory fabricates your dental bridge.

Procedure for a dental bridge second visit includes but is not limited to:

• May or may not get numb (most patients do not)
• Remove temporary bridge
• Fit new bridge (generally some type of refinement adjustments)
• Cement new bridge.

A fixed dental bridge is one of several solutions to replace a missing tooth. Certainly removable partial dentures or Dental implants are an alternative to a fixed dental bridge. Highlands Ranch Dentists Dr. H. Candace DeLapp and Dr. James DeLapp provide dental bridges to their dental patients in Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Parker and the Greater Denver area.  Please call their dental office to schedule an appointment today at (303) 694-9740.