When you lose a tooth, or if you have multiple missing teeth in a row, then a bridge could be the solution you need. The prosthetic looks natural and keeps your smile free of tooth loss-related complications. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist will talk about traditional and implant-secured dental bridges.
The Factors Behind Tooth Loss
We could lose our natural teeth as a result of an untreated cavity, or possibly a dental infection. Untreated bruxism could be a factor, as could injury. The most common factor is periodontitis, the advanced stage of periodontal disease. Regardless of the cause, when we lose teeth this could upset bite balance and strain the jaw joints, leaving you vulnerable to TMJ disorder and bruxism. Teeth could shift from position, which causes misalignment and leads to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You may also simply feel uncomfortable with the appearance of your smile. But the most severe complication is the gradual loss of mass and density in the jaw around missing teeth, which could lead to further tooth loss!
Creating a New Dental Prosthetic
When you’ve lost a tooth or up to four in a row, then we could offer a lifelike and durable dental bridge. The prosthetic can address minor tooth loss and restore your ability to eat your favorite foods and smile with confidence. To create the prosthetic, we will first numb the abutment teeth, the ones on each side of the gap, and remove structure from them. Next, we take detailed images and measurements of them, which we use in a lab setting to design the bridge and craft it, so it’s custom-made for your smile. The prosthetic contains one or more of your replacement teeth, but with crowns on one or both sides. The ceramic material we create them from looks natural and can be shaded to blend with the rest of your smile.
Options for Securing a Dental Prosthetic
With traditional bridges, our team will attach the crowns to the abutment teeth, securing your new ones in place. These tend to last about 10 to 15 years on average, requiring replacement as the jaw ridge changes shape. But with the implant portion, we don’t need to remove structure from abutment teeth. Instead, we insert one or two dental implants that we attach the crown portions too. The implants act as new roots and prevents the loss of mass and density in the jaw, so your new bridges can last for decades to come, possibly a lifetime.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Our Dental Prosthetics
We’re ready to restore your smile with a lifelike tooth replacement. If you would like to learn more about tooth replacement, please contact your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office at (515) 207-6182 to schedule a visit.
