Will A Bridge Offer A Solution For Missing Teeth?
When one or more of your teeth become lost, the function and health of your smile suffers, along with the beauty of your smile too. To help you obtain a full smile once again, your Cleveland, TX, dentist may suggest a bridge. In today’s blog, we’re going to explain how we create one, and the options for securing your new set of teeth.
The Impact of Your Missing Teeth
What happens to your smile once one or more of your teeth are missing? Well, the teeth could drift from position due to these gaps, a complication linked to misalignment and higher risks of tooth decay and gum disease. You could also experience changes to your bite balance and your jaw joints, which in turn means a higher likelihood of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). The lack of roots means that portion of your jaw is denied further doses of calcium and phosphorus, a complication that could lead to the loss of mass and density, as well as the risk of further tooth loss or an aged appearance with time.
Creating a Lifelike Prosthetic
To address minor cases of tooth loss, such as one to three missing teeth in a row, we may prescribe a custom-made bridge. The dental bridge is anchored in place with crowns, with a span of pontics, or replacement teeth, in between them. This bridges the gap in the smile, providing a durable option to replace missing teeth. The prosthetics will be designed based on detailed impressions, measurements, and images we take of your smile, created with lifelike appearance to ensure not only a durable and long-lasting prosthetic, but a lifelike one too.
Crowns or Implants?
What holds them in place? Well, with the traditional option, we attach the crowns to the natural teeth on either side of the gap, which we refer to as abutment teeth. We remove structure from them to make room for the crowns. The prosthetic then lasts about 10 to 15 years on average, requiring replacement once there are changes in the shape of the jaw ridge due to lost mass and density.
We could also secure them with implants. This option means no longer removing structure from natural teeth, as we attach the crowns to the implant posts inserted into your jaw. You preserve natural structure, and the implant posts will be recognized by the body as natural roots. The resulting doses of nutrients stimulates jawbone growth and enables your prosthetic to last for decades to come with proper care and attention!
Do You Have Questions About Lost Teeth?
Our team wants to address missing teeth and help protect the health and beauty of your smile, which is why the team at Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX offers a custom-made dental prosthetic. Contact our office at (281) 592-1234 to schedule your appointment today.