Missing one or more teeth causes serious problems, and not just for your smile. Tooth loss makes it difficult to do even the most basic things, including eating and speaking. You may even develop issues with your tooth alignment, which causes even more issues. If you have suffered tooth loss, one of the options we can provide you with at Fern Creek Dentistry is a dental bridge.
How Does a Bridge Work?
When you lose a tooth or two, you have an empty space in your mouth. A bridge is a traditional solution for replacing missing teeth that fill in this empty space with replacement teeth. The restoration uses your surrounding teeth for support, relying on these teeth to hold it in place.
Finding a Bridge to Suit Your Needs
There are a few different types of bridges that can be used to replace missing teeth. The most frequently used traditional bridge is called known as a fixed bridge. This solution anchors your replacement tooth, or teeth, into place using crowns. With this particular restoration, there is one crown on each side of the false teeth, using the teeth on both sides of the gap for support.
There is also what is called a cantilever bridge. This bridge also uses dental crowns to fasten the bridge into place. However, with this restoration, the fake tooth is held in place on only one side of the mouth. This type of bridge is used when you do not have teeth on both sides of the gap to support it. For instance, you may have an existing crown right next to the empty space. Rather than removing the crown and replacing it with a fixed bridge, a cantilever bridge may be recommended.
Another type of bridge is the Maryland bridge. This type of bridge is also called a resin-bonded bridge. Instead of crowns, this bridge uses metal flaps, or wings, which are then bonded to the backs of the teeth on each side of the empty space. With this type of bridge, you do not have to worry about having the adjacent teeth altered.
Benefits and Drawbacks to a Bridge
Bridges are a fairly affordable dental restoration. They are minimally invasive, only requiring the removal of a portion of the enamel from the adjacent teeth if a fixed or cantilever bridge is being placed. Maryland bridges are non-invasive. The bridge helps to hold your teeth in proper alignment while also restoring normal, everyday functioning. Bridges made from porcelain or ceramic also repair your smile as well.
What Other Options Do I Have?
While a bridge may be the traditional solution, it is not the only option you have when it comes to replacing missing teeth. For larger sections of missing teeth, a partial denture may be recommended. You may also be able to replace one or more missing teeth in any given area of your mouth using dental implants. Implants may be a more invasive treatment that requires more appointments and a longer recovery period, but the results of this treatment are permanent.
If you need tooth replacement, we can help. For more information on bridges, and to discuss your options, call Fern Creek Dentistry at (704) 380-9555 today.
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If you are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for dental implants, call Fern Creek Dentistry at (704) 380-9555 today!
