When you have missing teeth, you don’t just rely on a removable dental prosthetic. For minor tooth loss, we could offer a fixed option with our dental bridges. In today’s blog, your Brighton, MA, dentists will discuss how we create and place a lifelike tooth loss solution with our custom bridges, and how we could even secure them with dental implants.
The Risks of a Missing Tooth
Losing your teeth upsets the balance of your bite and places strain on the jaw joints. Which for many could mean the onset of a painful jaw joint disorder known as TMD, or possibly chronic teeth grinding, known as bruxism. Surrounding teeth could drift from position, which leads to misalignment. Poor alignment is often a major factor in the onset of tooth decay and gum disease. Your missing teeth could also complicate how you eat and speak, and as your jaw structure loses mass and density following tooth loss, this could mean additional lost teeth.
Creating Your Dental Bridge
To address minor tooth loss, we could suggest a bridge. The prosthetic contains pontics, the term for new teeth, with dental crowns attached to each end. The device is crafted based on detailed impressions and images we take of your smile. The material is color-matched to blend with your smile senselessly, and is durable enough to provide a dependable chewing surface. When your prosthetic is ready, you will return to the office for placement. We will make final adjustments, and then secure it in your smile!
A Lifelike and Fixed Prosthetic
The traditional option involves placing the crowns on natural teeth on either side of the gap, known as abutment teeth. We remove structure from these teeth to make room for the crowns. Since the jaw ridge will change shape due to loss of mass and density in your jaw, the prosthetic needs replacement every 10 to 15 years on average. However, we could also provide an option that is secured with dental implants. Inserted into the jawbone, these are accepted as natural roots, which prevents the loss of mass and density. Abutment teeth don’t need to have structure removed either. The implant option could last for decades to come, maybe even a lifetime.
To keep them strong, make sure you continue to brush and floss daily, and that includes in and around your bridge. If you have any questions, then give us a call today.
Do You Have Questions About Prosthetic Dentistry?
Our team wants to help fill the gaps in your smile with a lifelike bridge. To learn more about prosthetic dentistry, 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.
