Losing even one tooth can actually have a negative impact on both your appearance and your oral health. Fortunately, there are options available to help you replace lost teeth. For example, the dentist may recommend a dental bridge. Do you need a dental bridge? Do you have one or more missing teeth?
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges
Question: What causes tooth loss?
Answer: Multiple factors can lead to a patient losing a permanent tooth. Injury, advanced gum disease (periodontitis), and infection are all common reasons for losing a tooth. Periodontitis actually represents the most likely reason an adult loses a tooth, as the advanced stage of the disease causes the connective tissue between the teeth and gums to deteriorate.
Question: How do missing teeth impact our smiles?
Answer: First, your adjacent teeth may start to drift as a result of the gap in your smile, leading to misalignment and a greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease as a result. The pressure on the jaw joints from tooth loss may also lead to TMJ disorder and/or bruxism (teeth grinding).
Question: How does a dental bridge work?
Answer: A dental bridge helps replace one to three teeth in a row. A prosthetic is designed that consist of a replacement tooth/teeth with crowns on each end.
Question: What does receiving one involve?
Answer: The doctor will first need to prepare the remaining teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. The crowns are then placed onto these teeth, anchoring the new tooth into place. On average the prosthetic can be expected to last for between 10 and 15 years. We can provide detailed care instructions to help your prosthetic provide the quality tooth replacement you deserve. If you have any questions bout our tooth replacement options then please contact our office today.