Is it Time for You to Consider a Dental Bridge?

Tooth loss is only as obvious as the tooth was visible. For instance, losing a molar at the back of your mouth isn’t as visibly noticeable as a missing incisor in the front. Nevertheless, inconspicuous doesn’t mean insignificant; regardless of where your lost tooth used to be, replacing it is important. A dental bridge is a common dental prosthesis designed to replace a single lost tooth, or a few of them in a row, to restore your smile’s beauty and good health. If your smile is incomplete due to a missing tooth, then speak with Dr. Cain as soon as possible about restoring it with a custom dental bridge.

Why Tooth Loss is a Big Deal

The gap in your smile might be the most immediate consequence of tooth loss, but it isn’t the most influential when it comes to the rest of your oral health. Each tooth relies on those around it for support when exposed to the pressure of your bite. A complete set can evenly distribute the pressure amongst themselves, minimizing impact to reduce the risk of damage. If you lose even one tooth, the rest will have to take up the slack, and the teeth closest to the empty space might drift towards it as a result.

How to Support a Dental Bridge

A traditional dental bridge consists of an appropriate number of replacement teeth situated between two dental crowns. The crowns are bonded to the teeth adjacent to the gap, creating a fixed solution to restore your bite’s harmony. In many cases, Dr. Cain will recommend supporting the bridge on one or more dental implants (depending on how many teeth you’ve lost). An implant is a biocompatible titanium root device that is surgically inserted into the jawbone, and can support your prosthetic teeth like roots support your natural teeth.

If a Bridge isn’t Appropriate

Although popular, dental bridges aren’t always the right response to tooth loss. If you’ve lost several teeth that aren’t adjacent to each other, then you may require a partial denture to fill in the dispersed gaps in your smile. Like a complete denture, which consists of an entire row of replacement teeth, a partial denture fits along the curve of your dental ridge. Unlike a full denture, however, partials only possess teeth where needed, and enjoy the additional support of inconspicuous clasps.

About Your Gary, IN Dentist:

As a native of northwest Indiana, Nicholas Cain, DDS, is dedicated to providing excellent general, preventive, and family dentistry services to the community that raised him. To schedule your family’s next dental appointment, call Healthy Smiles today at 219-938-2637.