Dental Bridges in
Alamogordo, NM
Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat comfortably, enunciate properly, and smile with confidence. Several missing teeth in a row can create large gaps and result in additional oral health issues, such as shifting teeth and misalignment. The team of doctors at Mountain View Dental in Alamogordo, NM, works together to provide state-of-the-art solutions for patients with missing teeth. If you have one, two, or three missing teeth, we can provide custom dental bridges that look and feel completely natural. For patients who prefer the benefits of an implant-supported restoration, we can also perform dental implant treatment without referring you to an oral surgeon.
The Treatment Process
A dental bridge is made up of one or more prosthetic teeth (called pontics), which are supported by two dental crowns. These crowns are placed over healthy remaining teeth, while the pontics address the gaps in your smile left behind by missing teeth. Implant-supported bridges do not rely on nearby teeth but on posts that are embedded into the jawbone.
The exact details of your treatment will depend on whether you are receiving a traditional bridge or an implant-supported restoration. The processes are relatively similar, except that implant-supported bridges require implant surgery before your final restoration.
Implant Surgery
If you choose an implant-supported bridge, we will use an advanced 3-D cone beam scanner to assess the health of your jawbone and to precisely plan the placement of your dental implants. We will create an incision in your gums during implant surgery, access your jawbone, and place your implant posts. We will then apply sutures and, in most cases, send you home with a temporary restoration to begin your recovery. Whether you choose a traditional or implant-supported bridge, treatment can have life-changing results.
Planning
If you are receiving an implant-supported bridge, you will come back to our office four to six months later to receive impressions for your final restoration.
If you choose a traditional bridge, this process can be started on the day of your initial appointment. We will modify the supporting teeth and take impressions of your smile, which will be used to design a bridge that fits, feels, and looks natural in your smile. You will be provided with temporary restorations until your next visit.
Fabrication
Your impressions will be sent to our partner lab, where skilled technicians will create your custom bridge using high-quality materials over two weeks or so.
Placement
When your bridge is ready, you will come back to our office. If you received dental implants, we would attach your bridge to your anchoring abutments. If you opted for a traditional bridge, we would use dental cement to secure your restoration in place.
Traditional Dental Bridges vs. Implant-Supported Bridges
While conventional dental bridges are a trusted solution, implant-supported bridges are widely considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. Implant-supported restorations offer several benefits over traditional prosthetics, including:
- No reshaping of healthy teeth: Because implant-supported bridges are held in place by implants, your dentist will not need to reshape healthy adjacent teeth to create room for the supporting dental crowns.
- Added jawbone support: When you lose teeth, your jawbone also loses its source of stimulation and can begin to deteriorate. Dental implants provide regenerative signals to your jawbone everytime you chew and eat, keeping it structurally strong.
If you are worried about financing implant treatment, we offer flexible financing options, including LendingClub® and CareCredit®.