A dental bridge is a way to address minor gaps in your smile, such as the ones left behind by between one and three lost teeth in a row. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist talks about how we can use bridges, and looks at three different options for your smile.
Tooth Replacement
When you lose even one tooth, this could mean serious trouble for your oral health and the appearance of your smile. The surrounding teeth often drift from position as a result of this gap, leading to dental misalignment and with it, an increased risk of cavities and even gum disease. For others, the missing teeth place stress on the jaw joints due to bite imbalance so the chances of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) are much higher. To address these minor gaps, we may recommend a dental bridge.
Dental Bridges
To begin, our team will remove structure from the teeth on each side of the gap, using sedation anesthesia to keep you comfortable. We then take digital images of the abutment teeth, which we use in the design and fabrication process. The bridge itself will contain replacement teeth with crowns attached to each end. We create them from materials like ceramic, so they can withstand daily bite forces and also be color-matched to blend with the rest of the smile.
Fixed
A fixed option is very common, and means you cannot remove it. We attach the crowns to the abutment teeth, securing them in place for between 10 and 15 years on average. They need to be replaced as the shape of the jaw ridge changes.
Removable
A removable option is designed to be able to be taken out for cleaning and soaking, just like removable dentures. Again, these last about 5o to 10 years on average, and we will let you know how to properly clean and care for them.
Dental Implants
Our team could also insert one or more dental implants to secure them, addressing two to four teeth in a row on average. This means we don’t need to remove structure from abutment teeth, as we instead attach the crowns to the free-standing dental implant posts surgically inserted in the jaw. Since the body accepts these implants as natural roots, this preserves the jaw ridge shape, so your bridge, once attached, can last for decades to come!
Your Garland, TX, Dentist Offers Prosthetic Dental Care
Our team wants to help address the gaps in your smile. To learn more about our dental prosthetics, then please schedule a consultation today by contacting Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX at (972)-530-0552. You can also find our practice at 6850 N Shiloh Rd, Suite C Garland, TX 75044.
