Are you missing one or more consecutive teeth? Missing just one tooth can make a huge difference in quality of life. Things that you once found easy, like chewing your food, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence, become challenging. Fortunately, at Dental Center of Midlothian, we offer dental bridges to fill in the gaps in your smile. Read on to learn more about how dental bridges work and their benefits.
If a patient is missing one or a couple of teeth in a row, a dental bridge could be an ideal solution. It works by “bridging” the gap in your smile by anchoring over the natural teeth or dental implants on either side of the gap. This results in a lifelike, sturdy restoration. Dental bridges can be made from a variety of durable, natural looking materials that blend in perfectly with the rest of your smile.
There are two different types of dental bridges that help to meet different needs. Here’s how each of them works.
If you have healthy teeth on either side of the gap, a traditional dental bridge is usually ideal. The tooth that supports the dental crowns are known as “abutment teeth,” and they are altered slightly so the dental bridge can fit comfortably in the mouth. This type of restoration is usually placed in two separate visits to the dental office and is more affordable than its implant counterpart.
If you don’t have healthy adjacent teeth, dental implants can be surgically inserted into the jawbone to act as an alternative option. Dental implants are typically used when there are three or more missing teeth in a row. Implant bridges have many additional benefits, like increased stability and longevity as well as preventing jawbone deterioration over time.
You can experience many different benefits when you choose a dental bridge to replace your missing teeth. Here are some of the most prominent ones: