When you have a gap in your smile, we can complete it with a dental bridge, which replaces between one and three lost teeth in a row. Our team can create one that is secured with crowns or even dental implants. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about our dental bridges and how we create a lifelike tooth replacement.
The Complications of Untreated Tooth Loss
What happens to our smiles when we lose natural teeth? Obviously, there is embarrassment due to the gaps in the smile, which can impact social interactions and overall quality of life. But! Missing teeth can also increase the risk of misalignment, impact how clearly we speak, and can limit our meal options. The body could also suspend the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the jaw following tooth loss, which causes it to weaken and contribute to further tooth loss and an older appearance. But with a custom-made dental prosthetic, we can help protect your smile.
Creating Your Custom Bridge
Every dental prosthetic we provide is custom-made to ensure a proper fit, balanced bite, and lifelike appearance. To begin, we will numb the teeth on each side of the gap. We then remove structure from them and take detailed digital images and impressions of these abutment teeth. In a dental lab setting, we use the images and measurements to design and craft the finished product. The bridge is made from ceramic and can be shaded to blend with your smile. The prosthetic contains new teeth with crowns on one or both ends. To secure the new teeth, we place the crowns onto the abutment teeth. Your new teeth can stay in place for 10 to 15 years on average.
Implant Support
We could also secure them with dental implants. With this option, we will insert one to two dental implant posts into the jaw directly, no need to remove structure from abutment teeth. Our team will then connect the crown portions of the ridge to the implant posts. This secures your new teeth and preserves the jawbone, so your new teeth can last for decades to come, possibly a lifetime. You will care for them as you would natural teeth, brushing and flossing them each day.
If you have any questions about dental bridges or about securing them with dental implants, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy a whole smile again!
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT REPLACING MISSING TEETH?
A dental bridge can offer a solution for the unsightly gaps in your smile. To find out more about replacing missing teeth, you can call Dr. Browne in Prairie Village, KS, at 913-901-8585.
