When you lose a tooth, or possibly up to three or four in a row, then you need a dental prosthetic. Addressing your tooth loss can help you avoid major oral health complications. You can also enjoy an attractive smile again! In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about our custom dental bridges.
The Issues Related to Tooth Loss
When we suffer even minor tooth loss, this can lead to major problems for our oral health and quality of life. For example, missing teeth can limit meal options and even make clear speech a difficult process. The surrounding teeth could drift due to the gap in the smile, which causes dental misalignment and further oral health complications. The stress on your jaw joints could make you more vulnerable to issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You could also see your jawbone weaken gradually as the body stops sending doses of calcium and phosphorus to the jawbone around the missing roots, causing a breakdown linked to further tooth loss. But we can help protect you from these complications with a custom-made dental bridge.
The Dental Bridge
The dental bridge is a prosthetic that contains new teeth, known as pontics, with crowns attached to one or both sides. The prosthetic literally bridges the gap in your smile to offer a full smile. Our team will start by numbing the natural teeth on each side of the gap, known as abutment teeth. We then remove structure to make room for the new restoration. Our team will take images and measurements with digital technology, and use them in a lab setting to design and craft your new prosthetic. When your new teeth are complete, we will attach the crown portions to the abutment teeth to secure your new teeth!
Support with Dental Implants
The traditional option above can last about 10 to 15 years before replacement is necessary. But for a longer-lasting option, we can insert one or more dental implants into the jaw, where they act as new tooth roots. We then attach the new teeth to them, saving tooth structure and allowing you to receive a prosthetic that lasts for decades to come, possibly a lifetime. If you have any questions about our dental bridge options, or if you have missing teeth that need attention, then contact our team today to learn more. You can also use your remaining 2024 dental insurance benefits before they expire at the end of the year!
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CUSTOM TOOTH REPLACEMENT
Our team is ready to support new teeth with a custom dental prosthetic. To find out more about our dental prosthetics, you can call Dr. Browne in Prairie Village, KS, at 913-901-8585.
