Tooth loss, even the loss of a single tooth, could lead to major problems with the overall health and beauty of your smile. Your chewing function and ability to eat your favorite foods could be complicated too! To bring relief, your Prairie Village, KS, prosthodontist can help by securing a dental bridge.
The Impact of Losing Natural Teeth
Our smile could lose a tooth for a number of reasons, such as a serious injury to the teeth or jaw, or untreated tooth decay that becomes a serious infection or abscess. The advanced stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis, is a common factor as well. When you have a gap, the surrounding teeth could drift from position, leading to misalignment and with it, poorer oral health. The changes to your bite balance could increase the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding), and you could feel embarrassed about your appearance as well. To preserve your smile and improve your self confidence, we could use prosthodontics care to address tooth loss!
Creating Your Dental Bridge
For cases of one to three lost teeth in a row, we could discuss the placement of a dental bridge. The prosthetic will essentially contain one or more pontics, or replacement teeth, with dental crowns attached to one or both ends. To create them, we will first numb the teeth on either side of the gaps, known as abutment teeth, and remove structure from them. We take detailed digital images to design and aid in the fabrication of your prosthetic. We will craft them from materials like ceramic, which are able to absorb daily bite forces with ease, and can also be color matched to blend with your smile seamlessly.
Traditional and Implant Options
We have town options for securing them. The traditional ones will involve placing the crown portions onto the abutment teeth, securing your pontics firmly in place. These tend to last about 10 to 15 years, and need replacement as the jawbone gradually changes shape. But! We could also use one to two dental implants to support a bridge. No need to remove structure from abutment teeth, as the area free standing posts. They also stimulate the growth of jawbone tissue, so it completely changes shape and your new teeth can remain in place for decades to come.
If you have any questions about treating tooth loss with a dental bridge, then contact our team today to learn more.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT TREATING TOOTH LOSS?
We would like to take on your tooth loss. To learn more about replacing missing teeth, then please contact Dr. Stuart Dexter, Prosthodontist in Prairie Village, KS by calling 913-362-8200 to schedule an appointment for a dental prosthetic.