If you have one or more missing teeth, then the health of your smile can suffer. Not to mention, you may also have issues with the appearance of your smile. In order to address tooth loss, your smile may need a prosthetic, such as a bridge or a dental implant.
Try Our Quiz on Dental Prosthetics
- True or False: Tooth loss can impact overall health.
- True or False: A bridge addresses minor tooth loss.
- True or False: Dentures can replace multiple missing teeth.
- True or False: Dental implants last for many years.
Answer Key
- True. When you lose one or more teeth, the surrounding teeth can drift from position due to the gap in your smile. Soon, misalignment can develop, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The pressure on the jaw joints due to missing teeth can also make the onset of TMJ disorder and bruxism more likely. Multiple missing teeth can also make eating difficult, impacting your overall health.
- True. We can use a dental bridge to replace between one and three teeth in a row. The prosthetic consists of your new teeth, known as pontics, with crowns attached to each end. The crowns are placed onto the prepared teeth on either side of the gap in your smile, securing the pontics.
- True. A partial denture replaces multiple missing teeth, even if they are spread out across the arch. A full denture replaces all of the teeth on one or both arches. Both options have a base made from acrylic that mimics the appearance of gum tissue. Both also have lifelike teeth created using porcelain or zirconia.
- True. Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, where they act as new roots. As a result, they can last for several years, much longer than traditional bridges or dentures.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT DENTAL PROSTHETICS?
At Mai Dentistry, we can replace your missing teeth. To learn more about our practice, or to schedule your next appointment, call our Garland, TX office today at (972) 530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
