If you experience minor tooth loss, such as one lost tooth or as many as three in a row, then we may recommend a dental bridge. The prosthetic is custom in nature and designed to not only look natural, but fit comfortably too. In today’s blog, your Overland Park, KS, dentist talks about the process of creating and placing dental bridges.
The Dangers of Even Minor Tooth Loss
Minor tooth loss could be the result of factors like injury, cavities, infection, or in most cases, periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. When you lose a tooth or two, this gap could allow surrounding teeth to drift from position, creating misalignment that not only alters smile beauty, but increases the risk of cavities and periodontal concerns. The gap could also mean stress on your jaw joints, so you develop TMJ disorder or even bruxism (teeth grinding). Some may encounter issues eating or speaking, and may feel embarrassed, which further impacts social interactions. But we can help with a dental bridge!
Creating a Custom Dental Prosthetic
The prosthetic will be custom-made for your smile to ensure a lifelike appearance and a properly balanced fit, so you enjoy better oral health and a more attractive appearance. To begin, we will numb the teeth on each side of the gap, known as abutment teeth. We then take detailed images of these teeth and the gap, which we use in a lab setting to design and craft your finished bridge. The prosthetic consists of new teeth with crowns attached to each end, and is designed to blend with your smile too.
Traditional and Implant-Supported Options
For a traditional option, our team will attach the crowns to the abutment teeth with powerful bonding agents, securing your bridge for 10 to 15 years on average. Replacement is needed as the jaw ridge changes shape. However! We could also administer one to two dental implants into your jaw, which prevents the need for abutment teeth to be involved and lose tooth structure. We then attach the crowns to the implants, so you have replacement that stimulates jawbone growth, allowing your new prosthetic to remain in place for decades to come.
If you have any questions about how we create and place bridges to tackle tooth loss, or about whether a traditional or implant option is best for you, then contact our team today to learn more.
DO YOU NEED TREATMENT FOR MISSING TEETH?
Our team wants to help you enjoy a full smile again with a custom dental prosthetic. If you want to find a solution for your tooth loss, then call your Overland Park and Prairie Village, KS prosthodontist, Dr. Stuart Dexter, DDS at (913)362-8200. We can help with issues like tooth loss, bite imbalance, loss of mass and density, and more with our prosthodontic care.