A missing tooth could be a serious cause of concern, and we want to help! Our team can place a dental bridge to fill in the gap, and could even offer a long-lasting option with implant support! In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about our dental bridges and how they help complete your smile with lifelike results.
The Loss of Your Natural Teeth
We could lose our natural teeth due to a number of different factors. For example, an untreated cavity or infection could mean a gap in your smile. An injury could be responsible too. The most common factor behind adult tooth loss is actually the periodontitis stage of gum disease, which destroys the connective tissues between your teeth and gums. When we lose a tooth, this could mean the surrounding jawbone is denied regular doses of nutrients, which causes further tooth loss. Misalignment could form as the surrounding teeth drift, and the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) due to imbalance could increase as well. But we can help by filling the gap with a lifelike dental bridge.
Our Dental Bridges
A dental bridge can replace one to three missing teeth in a row. For a traditional one, we will numb the abutment teeth on each side of the gap and remove structure from them. Once we do, our team will take images of these teeth and the gap, which we use in a dental lab setting. We design and craft a custom prosthetic for you, once made from ceramic, which can support daily bite forces and be shaded to blend with the rest of your smile. We attach the crown portions of the prosthetic to your abutment teeth, which secures the new teeth firmly in place, often for 10 to 15 years on average.
Support with Dental Implants
We also have another option. With the dental implant option, we don’t need to remove structure from abutment teeth. Instead, we will insert one to two dental implants into the gap, where they act like new roots and stimulate jawbone growth, so the area doesn’t lose mass and density. Not only does this help prevent further tooth loss, this helps ensure your new teeth can stay in place for far gone, decades even!
If you have any questions about our traditional and implant-supported dental bridges, then contact our team today to find out more. We can also help you use your 2025 dental benefits before they expire at the end of December!
Dental Impressions Offers a Full Smile
Our team wants to help you enjoy a full smile again with a traditional or implant-supported dental prosthetic. To schedule an appointment for a dental prosthetic, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
