When you have tooth loss, such as a single missing tooth or up to three in a row, then we could secure a prosthetic to address the gap. With dental bridges, we can secure a prosthetic that looks natural and safeguards your smile! In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about our traditional and implant-supported dental bridges.
The Causes of Tooth Loss (and The Dangers)
How do we lose our natural teeth? This could be due to an injury to your face or jaw, or even as a result of an untreated cavity or infection. The most common cause is usually periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. When we lose teeth, even only one, this could increase the risk of misalignment as teeth drift due to the gap in your smile, creating alignment issues that could increase the risk of cavities and gum disease. Likewise, the gap also impacts bite balance so you are more likely to develop TMJ disorder or bruxism (teeth grinding). You could also gradually lose mass and density in the jaw, which can mean further tooth loss and for some, an aged appearance. But with a bridge, we can help prevent these concerns!
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a prosthetic that can address between one and three or four missing teeth in a row. The prosthetic contains new teeth, referred to as pontics, with crowns attached to each end. Typically, we will numb the abutment teeth, the ones on each side of the gap, and remove structure from them. This is what we place the crowns on. The prosthetic itself is custom-made based on detailed images and impressions we take of your teeth, so we know it fits comfortably and preserves your bite balance. We craft them from ceramic, which can handle daily bite forces and be shaded to blend with the rest of your smile seamlessly. These tend to last about 10 to 15 years before they require replacement as the jaw ridge changes shape.
Implant-Supported Options
We can also offer dental implant options, in which we insert one to two dental implants into the jaw, and connect the crown portions to them. No need for abutment teeth to lose structure, and the implants help stimulate the growth of jawbone structure to prevent changes in the jaw ridge, so your prostatic can remain in place for decades to come, sometimes even a lifetime! If you have any questions about dental bridges, then contact our team today to learn more. You deserve a full smile!
Do You Need a Dental Prosthetic?
If you are interested in replacing missing teeth with a lifelike option, or would like to learn more about our prosthetics, call Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO, today at (816)942-7669.