We often prescribe dental bridges to handle more minor cases of tooth loss. While these are typically supported with crowns placed on natural teeth, we could also provide options secured with one or more dental implants. In today’s blog, your Brighton, MA, dentists talk about the benefit of implant-supported bridges.
Don’t Live with Tooth Loss
Just because you have lost a single tooth, doesn’t mean you should ignore the issue. Even minor tooth loss could mean major problems for the health and function of your smile, not to mention your smile’s overall beauty. The gap in your smile could lead surrounding teeth to drift from position. The misalignment that develops could then increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as brushing and flossing is now more difficult. The gap in your smile also upsets bite balance and could place a strain on your jaw joints, factors behind painful jaw joint disorders like TMD and bruxism (teeth grinding). For others, minor cases of missing teeth could still complicate how we eat and speak.
The Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a great way to address minor cases of tooth loss, replacing between one and three lost teeth in a row. The prosthetic contains your new teeth, known as pontics, with crowns attached to each end. The crowns then attach to abutment teeth, the natural teeth on either side of the gaps in your smile. The replacement teeth and crowns will be crafted from materials like ceramic, which absorbs bite forces and will be color-matched to blend with your smile. We craft them based on detailed impressions and images we gather with digital technology, ensuring a comfortable fit that preserves bite balance and smile alignment.
Support with Implant Dentistry
Bridges supported with crowns on abutment teeth tend to last about 10 to 15 years on average, requiring replacement as the shape of the jaw ridge changes with time. However, we could instead insert one to two dental implants and attach the crowns to them. The implants stimulate the growth of jawbone tissue to prevent changes in ridge shape, so your prosthetic could instead last for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime! If you have any questions about how we support a custom prosthetic, or if you have one or more missing teeth, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Treating Tooth Loss?
We know the value of a complete smile, and can provide our patients with a lifelike replacement option for lost teeth. To learn more about addressing your missing teeth, then schedule a consultation by calling Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA, today at (617) 562-5210. We proudly welcome patients from Brighton, Watertown, and all surrounding communities.
