For those who have experienced tooth loss or irreparable damage to a tooth, dental bridges can help. This type of treatment replaces missing teeth by anchoring a prosthetic alternative to the two adjacent teeth, bridging the gap between them — hence the name. Bridges can be used to replace up to four adjacent teeth, depending on the individual.
Is this treatment option right for you? Like any other type of dental work, there are benefits and drawbacks to receiving dental bridges that should be carefully considered. A dentist can also offer insight that may apply to your unique situation.
Bridges have been used by dentists for decades. They are an effective method for treating tooth loss that offers many advantages to patients.
One of the main reasons most people seek treatment for tooth loss is to improve their appearance. Severely damaged or missing teeth can create unattractive gaps in your smile that are very noticeable to others. Bridges are prosthetics, but they are designed to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth, enhancing the look of your smile.
Even though replacing a missing tooth has cosmetic benefits, it is also necessary to protect your oral health. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth have to make up for it by withstanding excess pressure and force. Over time, this can lead to damage that may cause cracks and chips, increasing the risks for decay and requiring more repairs. A bridge replaces the missing tooth and is made from durable materials so it can withstand the pressures of everyday biting and chewing, protecting the other teeth from unnecessary damage.
Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew your food properly. As a result, you may favor one side or area while eating but still have problems chewing thoroughly. This can lead to digestive troubles over time, as well as tooth and jaw pain. Restoring your smile with dental bridges ensures proper, comfortable chewing and a more even bite. In addition, replacing lost teeth helps prevent speech issues from developing.
Many patients can have a bridge placed in as little as one dental visit. This quick turnaround helps prevent complications from developing before treatment is complete. The recovery process is also speedy with most patients resuming normal activities in a day or two.
Other options for tooth replacement, such as traditional dental implants, require multiple surgeries and months of recovery. The process can be difficult for those who do not tolerate dental work well. Dental bridges do not require surgery or incisions, so they may be preferable to those who want a less invasive treatment option.
Though dental bridges are often recommended by dentists and are both safe and effective, some disadvantages come with choosing this type of treatment for tooth loss. In addition to adjusting to the feel of a bridge, patients should be aware of these other issues.
With good home care and routine professional cleanings, a bridge can last for more than a decade. Most people should expect to get five to seven years out of a dental bridge before needing a replacement. While it is a sturdy solution to tooth loss, it is not a permanent one.
Bridges fit tightly against the surrounding teeth and gums, but food particles and bacteria can still become trapped here. In addition to careful brushing twice a day, patients need some other tools to clean a bridge well, such as:
A dentist will instruct you on how to use these tools for proper cleaning.
Dental bridges do not extend below the gum line, so they cannot stimulate the bone underneath. While they do allow you to use the general area more when chewing, they are not effective at preventing bone loss under the specific teeth that were lost.
A bridge is more appealing than a missing tooth to most people, but it does not provide the same realistic results that other options can offer. Upon close-up inspection, it may be noticeable to others. However, most people will not be able to tell that you have a dental bridge.
There are many pros and cons to choosing dental bridges. Talk with your dentist to determine if this option is a good choice for your dental health.
Request an appointment here: https://www.bryancousindmd.com or call Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of the North Shore at (781) 443-8268 for an appointment in our Swampscott office.
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