When you have lost a tooth, or a small amount of them, then you need a dental prosthetic to keep your smile full and avoid complications. We can address missing teeth with dental bridges and partial dentures, and even support these prosthetics with dental implants! In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about treating minor and complex tooth loss.
Dental Bridges
When you have a single missing tooth, or as many as three to four in a row, then we could prescribe a dental bridge. The prosthetic will contain new teeth with crowns on either end, all made from ceramic. The durable material can handle daily bite forces and also be shaded to blend with your smile. When completed, the crown portions are placed onto the abutment teeth, the natural teeth on each side of the gap, to secure your new one in place for years to come. On average, this can provide 10 to 15 years of tooth replacement before we may need to create a new one.
Partial Dentures
What if you have small gaps, but they are spread out across your arch? This is a case of tooth loss too severe for a bridge, but you still have enough natural teeth that removing them to make room for a full denture is overkill. With a partial, we create a denture that has new ceramic teeth set in an acrylic base. Once secured into your smile the new teeth fit in these gaps, and metal clasps attach to natural teeth to support the denture. This custom prosthetic can last about 5 to 10 years before jaw ridge changes necessitate replacement.
Implant Support
For greater support, we could also insert dental implants into the jaw and attach your bridge or partial to them. These act as new roots and preserve the jawbone, so there are no changes to the jaw ridge. As a result, your new prosthetic can stay in place for decades to come, possibly a lifetime. This also help prevent further tooth loss and keeps your youthful facial features intact. Don’t let tooth loss lead to issues with mealtime or speech, we want you to feel proud to show off your smile!
If you have any questions about how we help fill smiles with a bridge or a partial denture, or if you have gaps that need attention, then please contact our team today to get started. Let 2025 be the year you finally obtain a full and beautiful smile again!
Enjoy Tooth Replacement with Help From Dr. Browne, D.D.S.
We want to help replace lost teeth so you can enjoy a complete smile again. To find out more about replacing your missing teeth, then call Dr. Browne in Prairie Village, KS, at 913-901-8585.
