Dental Bridges in Colorado Springs
A bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth by anchoring a replacement to the teeth on either side. It is faster than an implant, costs less up front, and for a lot of patients it is the right answer, provided you understand what it asks of the neighboring teeth.
How a bridge works
The teeth either side of the gap are prepared and crowned. Those crowns are joined to a false tooth, called a pontic, that sits in the space. The whole unit is cemented in place and is not removable.
When a bridge is the right choice
- The teeth either side of the gap already need crowns, so nothing healthy is being sacrificed
- There is not enough bone for an implant and grafting is not wanted
- A medical condition makes implant surgery inadvisable
- The gap needs closing sooner than an implant timeline allows
When an implant is the better answer
If the teeth either side are healthy and untouched, a bridge means cutting down two sound teeth to replace one missing one. An implant leaves them alone entirely.
A bridge also does not address the bone beneath the gap, which continues to resorb because nothing is stimulating it. Over years that shows as a dip under the pontic.
We tell you which way your case leans rather than defaulting to one.
Types of bridge
- Traditional. Crowns on both sides, a pontic between. The most common.
- Cantilever. Anchored on one side only, used where there is a tooth on just one side of the gap.
- Maryland. A pontic held by wings bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth. Far more conservative, but less strong, and mostly used at the front.
- Implant-supported. Anchored to implants rather than natural teeth, for longer spans without sacrificing healthy teeth.
What the process involves
At least two appointments. The first prepares the anchor teeth and fits a temporary. The second fits and cements the permanent bridge.
Cost and coverage
Bridges are usually cheaper than implants up front. Over a long enough horizon that can reverse, since a bridge may need replacing and an implant post often does not.
Dental insurance covers bridges more often than implants, typically as major restorative work subject to a waiting period and annual maximum. We verify your plan first. CareCredit financing with an interest-free plan for the first six months, and the Smile 365 VIP Membership discount, both apply.
Looking after a bridge
The pontic is not attached to the gum, so ordinary floss will not reach beneath it. A floss threader or water flosser is how you clean under a bridge, and skipping it is the most common reason bridges fail, because decay forms in the anchor teeth underneath the crowns where you cannot see it. Regular hygiene visits catch that early.
Bridges, dentures and implants in later life
If you are weighing tooth replacement in retirement, the calculation includes what Medicare and Advantage plans actually pay, how much bone you have to work with, and whether a fixed or removable option suits you better day to day. Our page on dental care for seniors covers all three options side by side, including dentures and implant-supported dentures.
Common questions
How long does a bridge last?
Commonly 10 to 15 years, though many last longer. Cleaning underneath it is the single biggest factor.
Does it look natural?
Porcelain bridges are shade-matched to your teeth. The pontic is the part to look at, and where the gum line sits under it matters most at the front.
Will it change how I eat or speak?
A short adjustment period, then it behaves like your own teeth. Being fixed rather than removable is a large part of why patients prefer it to a partial denture.
Can a bridge replace more than one tooth?
Yes, but the longer the span the more force the anchor teeth take. Past a certain point implant support is the sounder engineering.
Is a bridge or an implant better?
It depends on whether the neighboring teeth are healthy. If they are, an implant usually wins. If they already need crowns, a bridge does two jobs at once.
Talk to us
Call (719) 596-1230 or request an appointment online and we will tell you honestly whether a bridge or an implant suits your case. We are at 3208 N Academy Blvd, Suite 100, Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm.
