Why Bridge It?
Posted March 2, 2015 by Wager-Evans Dental
There are a variety of procedures today to replace or save a damaged tooth or teeth. They each have their purpose and you may wonder what each treatment is best used for. Missing teeth can be a serious matter. If the space they leave is not noticeable you may be tempted to do nothing about your missing teeth. However, that could be a mistake. The open spaces left from missing teeth can cause your surrounding teeth to shift or tilt leading to crooked teeth, the underlying jawbone can begin to atrophy, and other issues can develop that could affect the alignment of your bite, or other jaw issues. What can you do about the space? Bridge it.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge consists of one or more replacement teeth that fill the gap left by missing teeth. The bridge is supported by the remaining healthy teeth on each side of the gap and is anchored either by metal fastened to the remaining healthy teeth, or crowns which are fit over and bonded to the remaining healthy teeth. A bridge literally “bridges” the gap left by missing teeth. A traditional bridge is the most common bridge used and consists of creating a crown for the tooth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth, also called the abutment teeth. The abutment teeth are chiseled down and “capped” with crowns which hold the bridge in place.
Advantages
Dental bridges are used to restore function and aesthetics by:
- Restoring your smile
- Restoring the ability to chew a variety of foods
- Restoring your ability to speak normally
- Preventing the shifting of remaining teeth
- Preventing facial distortions created by missing teeth
- Restoring a healthy bite
About Your Reno Dentists
Dr. William Wager, Dr. Brian Evans, and our highly experienced team at Wager Evans Dental are devoted to our patients and their families, and dedicated to providing first-rate dental care in a comfortable, inviting environment. Located in Reno, we proudly welcome residents from Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation or your next dental appointment, visit our office, or contact us today by calling (775) 800-4845.