There are several ways to replace missing teeth, but many patients lean toward a dental bridge as their chosen dental restoration. A natural-looking tooth replacement solution, dental bridges are a well-established dental repair that, with proper care and upkeep, can last for a lifetime.
1. The Name Is Accurate
A dental bridge does just what its name implies – forms a bridge between two teeth to fill in the gap that is between them. Metal clasps are attached to the teeth on either side of the space where a tooth used to be and they are anchored in place with customized porcelain crowns. A prosthetic tooth is carefully designed and attached to the bridge and everything is bonded firmly in place.
2. Composition May Vary
Dental bridges are typically made of porcelain fused to ceramic or porcelain fused to metal. Both repairs create a strong, natural-looking restoration that blends into the rest of your smile, so it is mostly your preferences, your Fort Lauderdale dentist’s recommendation, and your budget that will determine which option is right for you.
3. You Need a Strong Foundation
A lost tooth can occur for many reasons. A tooth may be lost to an accident or sporting injury, it may be extracted because it cannot be repaired with a root canal, or it may fall out because of advanced gum disease. Before any restorations can occur, all infections and other oral health problems must be cleared up so your mouth is healthy. If neighboring teeth are compromised in their own way because of gum disease or other infection, a bridge will not have the stability it needs to be successful.
4. They’re Easy to Clean
A dental bridge does not require any special upkeep to maintain its good condition. Simply brush and floss your teeth normally and see your Fort Lauderdale dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Do not bite down on hard foods or make a habit of eating sticky foods so that you don’t break or pull out the bridge.
5. They Protect Your Appearance
One missing tooth may not seem like a big problem, but it can turn into a major issue. If the space left behind is not filled, tissues will shift and neighboring teeth will float around to fill in the gap, leaving you with unnatural spaces between your teeth and a compromised bite. Depending on the location of the missing tooth, your face shape can change over time, sinking in on itself and affecting your entire profile.
6. A Dental Bridge Isn’t Right for Everyone
The location of your missing tooth, the solidity of your remaining teeth, and other factors will need to be taken into consideration before you can qualify for a dental bridge. If you are replacing a back molar and the bridge can only attach to one molar, the restoration may not be secure enough. Even if you aren’t a good candidate for a dental bridge, there is more than one way to replace a missing tooth, including dental implants and dentures.
Learn more about all possible tooth replacement options from Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale. Contact our office to schedule your consultation and get on the road to completing your smile.
Everything I have had done at Premier Smile Center has been top-notch. The treatment I received was thorough, precise and extremely professional. I never felt like just another patient because they took the time to listen to my concerns. They addressed my issues and we agreed on the treatment plan together.
The staff is very friendly, warm and extremely knowledgeable. I felt relaxed and comfortable knowing I chose the right place to get the dental work I needed. Dr. Johnson is very humane and very knowledgeable, and she does amazing work. I like the friendliness and honesty of the whole practice. I was not confident with my smile, in fact I was very self conscious and rarely smiled. Premier Smile Center has changed all that. My smile is one of the things I like the most.