Have you recently lost one of your teeth? If so, you understand the challenges that come when adjusting to this unfortunate event. While the esthetic effect of a missing tooth is quite obvious, you also learn how much the function of your bite diminishes with a single loss. This is because all of our teeth work in concert to provide a full bite. Without treatment, the remaining members of your smile take on additional force than they are intended to sustain. This can lead to accelerated wear and tear that further harms the alignment of your bite and increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You can imagine how this increased risk can lead to even more lost teeth. Because you rely on your teeth to help articulate speech, you also hear your voice begin to sound strange. Without a prosthetic replacement tooth, your favorite foods can cause severe pain if they get stuck in the open gap in your mouth. Fortunately, a dental bridge provides a nonsurgical solution for restoring your smile and its bite.
At your Ankeny, IA, dental practice, we suggest addressing your missing tooth as soon as possible. By receiving a sturdy prosthetic, you can prevent complications that become worse over time and lead to additional missing teeth. A dental bridge provides a wonderful option by connecting to crowns placed on neighboring teeth. Because this prosthetic is permanent, you can enjoy desirable bite support for years to come. Note that we are standing by to help with any dental emergency, so call us right away if an injury knocks out one of your teeth!
How We Lose Teeth In Adulthood
While losing your baby teeth in childhood is a rite of passage, losing a tooth as an adult can be quite a stressful experience. By attending cleanings and checkups regularly, we can inspect your smile for any active concerns that could contribute to dental loss. This includes advanced decay that wears away the healthy material of your tooth or gum infections that threaten the stability of your smile. However, preventive care cannot protect you from freak accidents or sporting injuries that knock out teeth. When this happens, schedule an emergency appointment right away to preserve your grin.
Receiving Your Dental Bridge
We will take measurements of your teeth and surrounding oral structures to design a bridge that fits comfortably and mimics a natural tooth. By attaching crowns to teeth surrounding your gap, we can attach a prosthetic that will last for years to come. Care for your bridge with consistent oral hygiene, and attend your biannual checkups where we will inspect its healthy status!
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA, Dentist About Replacing Your Tooth
If you would like to learn more about this prosthetic option or any other we offer, please contact your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office at (515) 207-6182 to schedule a visit.
