When you’re missing a tooth, it can become very prominent when you show off your smile. In addition to that, it can make it more difficult to do things that you once found easy, like chewing your food and speaking clearly. You can also experience a variety of other issues, like dental drift, if you don’t have it replaced quickly. Fortunately, at Newport Dental Associates, we offer dental bridges to restore the appearance and function of your pearly whites. To learn more about how you can fill the gaps in your smile, give us a call!
A dental bridge is exactly what it sounds like. Its function is to “bridge” the gap where your tooth is missing. Usually, a bridge replaces anywhere from one to four teeth in a row. It is comprised of two crowns and a number of pontics, or replacement teeth. The crowns are anchored onto your adjacent healthy teeth (or dental implants). Dental bridges can be made from a variety of durable and natural-looking materials.
There are two different types of dental bridges, and the type you get will depend on the number of teeth you are missing and where they are located in your mouth.
If you still have healthy teeth on either side of the gap that needs to be filled in, a traditional bridge is a great option. The teeth that support the crowns are called “abutment teeth.” They will be altered slightly so the bridge can fit comfortably in your mouth. Usually, this restoration can be placed in just a few appointments.
If you don’t have healthy adjacent teeth next to the gap, you could opt for an implant bridge. This type of bridge uses dental implants as an alternative. Implants can be used when there are three or more missing teeth in a row. Implant bridges tend to last longer than traditional bridges, and the can prevent bone loss over time.
Here are just some of the numerous benefits you can experience when you replace your missing tooth/teeth with a dental bridge: