Dental Bridge Your Way to a Better Smile

Have you been unhappy with your smile since you lost a tooth or had one extracted? Many people try to postpone restorative treatment, especially if their missing tooth was at the back of the mouth. Unfortunately, failing to complete a smile after tooth loss can have several repercussions beyond the cosmetic. Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew as well as you would with a complete smile, but they can also cause your remaining teeth to shift out of alignment. This can, in turn, make it even more difficult to bite and could cause you to lose more teeth. Dental bridges are one popular way of addressing tooth loss, because they offer stability and beauty.

Why Bridges Are Great Restorative Options

Unlike partial dentures, which are generally held in place by the contouring of your mouth or adhesives, a dental bridge is secured onto your remaining teeth through the use of crowns. The bridge does as its name implies, and bridges the gap that was created when your tooth fell out, helping to replace that missing tooth and restore the function of your smile, as well. (Bridges can be used in conjunction with dentures, however, to stabilize them, particularly when several teeth in a row are missing.)

Dental bridges distinguish themselves from other restorative treatments by being more affordable than dental implants, which involve surgically placing titanium posts into the jawline, but much more stable than unsupported dentures. This makes them a great choice for many patients!

If you’ve delayed restorative treatment after tooth loss, or are just unhappy with your current prosthetics, your dentist can help you determine which restorative option will best fit your desires for your smile as well as your budget.