Candidates for Dental Bridges
Missing one or more teeth can negatively affect how a person feels about his or her appearance. Talking, chewing, and even smiling can be difficult for a person who is missing one or more teeth. Sadly, many patients experience feelings of anxiety when talking and smiling because of the gaps created by missing teeth. Gaps created by missing teeth, especially those easily seen when smiling and talking, can be a source of embarrassment for our patients. It is not uncommon for a patient to experience a decline in his or her self-confidence and self-esteem as a direct result of missing one or more teeth. Because of this, many patients find themselves smiling and talking less. Missing one or more teeth can contribute to many dental problems including bone loss, tooth decay, and shifting teeth. Our Warsaw cosmetic dentist may recommend dental bridges to help prevent these dental problems and to restore function and beauty to the smile.
What Are Dental Bridges?
At our restorative dentistry practice in Warsaw, dental bridges can be used to restore the function and aesthetics of the teeth. Dental bridges look and function like natural teeth. A traditional dental bridge is comprised of between one and three artificial teeth supported by a dental crown on either end. The dental crowns are then affixed to the natural teeth adjacent to the gap created by missing teeth so that the artificial teeth fill this gap.
Am I a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
The majority of patients who are missing one or more of their teeth will be good candidates for dental bridges. If you are missing between one and three consecutive natural teeth, and your gums, jawbone, and remaining natural teeth are strong and healthy, you will likely be an ideal candidate for a dental bridge.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Missing one or more teeth can have a negative impact on the overall health, function, and aesthetic of your smile. By utilizing dental bridges, we are able to provide our patients with durable and long-lasting solutions to the oral health problems that are associated with missing teeth. There are many benefits of dental bridges, including:
- May improve self-confidence
- May improve self-esteem
- Restoring and improving the function of the teeth
- Restoring strength to the teeth
- Improving bite problems resulting from missing one or more teeth
- Improving speech problems resulting from missing one or more teeth
- Reducing the risk of bone loss
- Reducing the risk of tooth disease
- Improving the aesthetics of the smile
Implant-Supported Bridges
At our cosmetic dentistry practice in Warsaw, dental implants are frequently used to support dental bridges. Implant-supported bridges are similar to traditional dental bridges; however, implant-supported bridges are not supported by natural teeth, but are instead supported by the dental implant. A major advantage of implant-supported bridges is that they allow for the healthy natural teeth adjacent to the missing teeth to remain intact.
Contact Us
To learn more about how dental bridges can restore the function and aesthetics of your smile, or to schedule an examination, please contact Dental Solutions today. Our skilled, caring staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.