If you have recently lost a tooth, you know how difficult adjusting to the change in your smile can be. While the esthetic effects of tooth loss are quite apparent, the loss of function you experience can be even worse. Regular activities you once took for granted can become complicated. You may avoid certain favorite foods that harm your open socket. Because your teeth are an important part of articulating speech, your voice begins to sound off. Without appropriate replacement, your neighboring teeth begin to drift toward the open area. This increases the misalignment of your bite, increasing the risk for additional loss through decay or disease. But by receiving a prosthodontic replacement tooth, you can halt the degradation of your smile. We could create a dental bridge that connects your new tooth to crowns placed on adjacent teeth. Enjoy the confidence of a full smile once again!
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we help our patients with missing teeth adjust to their new smile in multiple ways. First, we create replacement teeth to return the function and appearance of a full bite. Second, we inspect their oral health to determine what factors contribute to losing teeth. If you have any current issues with decay or gum disease, we will encourage a regular dental checkup schedule to help keep them in check and preserve your remaining teeth. In today’s blog, we explore the benefits of a dental bridge!
How We Lose Teeth In Adulthood
While leaving a tooth under your pillow for the tooth fairy is a childhood rite of passage, no one looks forward to losing a tooth as an adult! This unfortunate condition has a variety of contributing factors, and by understanding them you may be able to prevent losing additional teeth. While we may not predict physical accidents, you can face tooth decay head-on. Avoiding your cleanings and exams can allow cavities to expand so greatly they destroy too much natural material to repair with a filling or crown. When this happens, we will have to extract your tooth to prevent decay from spreading to neighboring teeth.
Designing Your Dental Bridge
To replace a missing tooth, we will take exact measurements of your gap and remaining teeth. This allows us to create a prosthodontic that fits comfortably in your bite. By placing crowns on neighboring teeth, your bridge rests permanently in the gap between. Prioritizing your oral hygiene can help preserve the bridge for years to come!
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.
