Do You Need A Traditional Or Implant Bridge?

A dental bridge is what we recommend for people with one to three or four missing teeth in a row. But we have two different options, one that is the traditional bridge, and one supported with dental implants. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about how we design and craft these prosthetics, and secure them for years to come.

The Impact of Minor Tooth Loss

Losing even one tooth could spell serious trouble for your smile. For example, the gap could allow misalignment to occur as the teeth shift the positions. An uneven smile alone means a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease. For others, the missing tooth could alter the bite of the balance and strain the jaw joints. This could lead to painful jaw joint disorders like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). Over time, this could impact how you eat and speak, and the loss of mass and density in the jawbone around the lost tooth could lead to additional missing teeth too.

The Traditional Option

For cases of one to three missing teeth in a row, our team could prescribe a traditional dental bridge. To begin, we will numb your smile and remove the structure from the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. Known as the abutment teeth, these will eventually support the prosthetic. Detailed digital images and measurements will be taken of your smile and used to design and craft the prosthetic. The bridge will be made from ceramic, which we shade to blend with your smile. There will be new teeth and crowns attached to each end. We connect the crowns to the abutment teeth, securing your new teeth for 10 to 15 years on average!

Dental Implant Bridges

We could also support them with dental implants. Instead of removing structure from natural teeth, we insert one or more dental implants into the jaw. This prevents the breakdown in the jaw that usually follows tooth loss, so your new prosthetic can last for decades to come. We connect the crowns to the implant posts, and you have a fixed bridge that can last much longer than traditional ones, and prevent further tooth loss in the process.

If you have any questions about how we treat missing teeth, then contact our team today to learn more.

Do You Have Questions About Prosthetic Dental Care?

We have custom prosthetics to help you obtain a complete smile again! If you have any questions about replacing missing teeth, or if you would like to schedule a consultation today, please contact Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, at (281) 592-1234. You can also find our practice at 205 E. Houston St. Cleveland, TX 77327.