Dental Bridge
Dental bridges effectively restore your smile by filling gaps left by missing teeth. Bridges not only improve appearance and confidence but also help maintain proper chewing and speaking functions. Designed to seamlessly blend with your natural teeth, bridges can help prevent surrounding teeth from shifting and maintain your facial structure.
Schedule Consultation What Is A Dental Bridge?
Living with missing teeth can affect more than just your appearance. It can make eating and speaking difficult, and even impact your self-esteem. Fortunately, there is a modern solution for missing teeth: a dental bridge.
A dental bridge is a custom-made restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by “anchoring” artificial teeth to the healthy, natural teeth on either side of the gap.
Your teeth act as sturdy pillars, and the bridge spans the gap between them – filling the empty space with beautiful, functional replacement teeth.
Are you a candidate?
Take our 1-minute quiz below to find out!
What Makes Up A Traditional Dental Bridge?
Here’s what makes up the traditional dental bridge:
- Abutment teeth: These are the natural teeth on either side of the gap, which are prepared to hold crowns
- Pontics: These are the artificial teeth that fill the gap
- Crowns: Crowns are custom caps that cover the abutment teeth and hold the dental bridge in place
We’ve been restoring smiles for years. Our prosthodontic specialists have mastered the art of designing dental bridges that restore your smile's appearance and bring back full functionality.
Whether you're missing just a single tooth or several in a row, we can design a bridge that looks so natural, even you might forget it's there.
Types of Dental Bridges
Here’s a fun fact: Not all bridges are created equal! There are actually several types of dental bridges available – each with its own benefits and uses. Our team of experts will help you determine which option may be best for your smile.
Traditional Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge is by far the most common type - and for good reason. The conventional bridge includes crowns for the teeth on either side of your gap (abutment teeth) with artificial teeth (pontics) suspended between them.
Cantilever Bridge
Some individuals only have teeth on one side of the gap, which can make a traditional bridge difficult to implement. Fortunately, a cantilever bridge can help. This specialized bridge anchors to one or more teeth on just one side of the missing tooth space.
Maryland Bonded Bridge
Are you looking for a more conservative option? A Maryland bonded bridge (sometimes called a resin-bonded bridge) might be the answer.
Instead of crowns, a Maryland bonded bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework that is bonded to the backs of your adjacent teeth.
Implant-Supported Bridge
When you need to replace multiple missing teeth, another great option is an implant-supported bridge. Instead of relying on natural teeth for support, an implant-supported bridge anchors to dental implants placed directly in your jawbone. Implant-supported bridges don't require altering any natural teeth, and they can last a lifetime with proper care.
Who Is a Candidate?
Is a dental bridge right for you? Here’s what we typically look for when we identify dental bridge candidates in our office:
- One or more missing teeth with healthy teeth on one or both sides of the gap
- Good overall oral health with no untreated decay or gum disease
- Sufficient tooth structure in the abutment teeth to support crowns
- A commitment to maintaining excellent oral hygiene
You might need additional treatment first if you have:
- Active gum disease (we'll treat this before placing a bridge)
- Decay in potential abutment teeth (easily fixed with fillings)
- Insufficient bone support (may indicate an implant bridge is better)
Benefits of a Dental Bridge
There are plenty of reasons to consider investing in a dental bridge – beyond just feeling better about your smile!
A Dental Bridge Can Restore Your Confidence
A bridge is a great step in bringing back your complete smile. Our custom-designed bridges blend perfectly with your natural teeth and restore the confidence that comes with a beautiful smile.
You Can Eat Comfortably Again
Missing teeth make eating challenging – and in some cases, painful. A bridge restores proper chewing function, which lets you enjoy all your favorite foods again without fear or pain.
Dental Bridges Help Maintain Your Facial Structure
Did you know that missing teeth can cause your face to sag or appear sunken? A bridge helps maintain your natural facial contours by providing support where teeth are missing. Plus, a bridge keeps everything in your mouth in proper alignment.
Bridges Can Help Clear Up Your Speech
Missing teeth, particularly those missing in the front, can impact how you pronounce certain words. A bridge restores normal speech patterns quickly – and gives you more confidence in how you speak.
Dental Bridge vs. Other Options
You may be tempted to forgo a dental bridge for other options. But once you see the results, you’ll start to realize why so many choose dental bridges to restore their smile.
Bridge vs. Dental Implants
Time and comfort are big factors. Most bridges are completed in just 2-3 weeks and cost less initially. However, implants can often preserve your natural teeth and bone structure, which makes them a great long-term investment despite the longer treatment time.
Bridge vs. Partial Dentures
Bridges stay permanently fixed in your mouth and feel much more like natural teeth, while partial dentures often need to be removed for cleaning and can slip during eating. Bridges typically last much longer and provide superior stability and comfort.
Bridge vs. Doing Nothing
Leaving a gap allows teeth to shift out of position. This can create unwanted bite problems and make cleaning difficult, which increases your risk of decay and gum disease. A bridge restores your ability to chew properly and helps maintain your facial structure – without the risks!
What to Expect when Getting a Dental Bridge
Curious about the bridge process? Here’s what you can expect from the team at Northern Colorado Dental Specialty and Implant Center!
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First Visit: Preparation and Impressions
The process begins with preparing the abutment teeth. We carefully reshape these teeth to create room for the crowns that will support your bridge.
Then we will take detailed impressions of your prepared teeth. Thanks to our on-site lab, these impressions go directly to our skilled technicians who begin crafting your custom bridge.
Before you leave, we'll place a temporary bridge to protect your teeth and maintain your appearance.
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Second Visit: Placing Your New Bridge
When your permanent bridge is ready, you'll return for placement. We remove the temporary bridge and try on your new one. And if any adjustments are needed, we can make them on-site!
Once everything is perfect, we'll permanently cement your bridge in place. We'll check your bite, make any final adjustments, and review care instructions.
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Follow-Up Care
We'll see you for a follow-up visit to ensure everything is healing well and you're happy with your new smile. Proper oral care and hygiene can help your smile last a lifetime!
Why Choose Us?
When it comes to something as important as restoring your smile, you deserve exceptional care from true specialists.
Dr. Justin Liddle isn't just a dentist - he's one of the only prosthodontists in Northern Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. This means three additional years of specialized training beyond dental school, focused specifically on crowns, bridges, and complex restorations.
From your first phone call to your final appointment, you'll notice the difference. Our team treats you like family, taking time to understand your concerns and ensure your comfort.
Real Results, Real Smiles
Our Patients Say It Best
Our Specialty Dentists
Dr. Justin Liddle, DMD, CDT, Prosthodontist
Dr. Liddle is a distinguished prosthodontist who earned his doctorate from Case Western Reserve University and completed a three-year Prosthodontic Residency at Louisiana State University Health Science Center. Internationally trained in dental esthetics and implant dentistry, he was awarded 1st Place in the Nobel Biocare Student Case Presentation Award. As one of the few prosthodontists serving Northern Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska, Dr. Liddle is also a respected educator, leading advanced courses on implant dentistry techniques.
Dr. Kirk Harvey, DMD
Dr. Kirk Harvey earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Arizona, where he was honored with the prestigious Hanau Excellence in Prosthodontics Award for his outstanding clinical skills.
Healthy Smiles Start Here!
Exceptional care tailored to you. Cutting-edge technology. Supreme comfort. We're transforming dental experiences in the Fort Collins area with pioneering treatments, always prioritizing our patients. Now is the perfect moment to begin crafting your ideal smile. Get in touch with us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step.
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