When you lose teeth, but not enough to require a full or partial denture, you may benefit from the placement of a dental crown. In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist explains how we approach creating and placing a dental bridge to replace missing teeth and restore the beauty of your smile.
The Risks of Lost Teeth
Why should missing teeth concern you? Aside from the obvious impacts on the beauty of your smile, losing one or more of your natural teeth could mean negative changes to your overall oral health too. For example, missing teeth have been shown to upset bite balance and strain jaw joints, which means a greater risk of painful TMJ disorder or bruxism (chronic teeth grinding/clenching). In addition, the teeth could shift from position due to the gaps in the smile, a complication that not only causse dental misalignment, but increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as thoroughly brushing and flossing becomes more difficult. To protect and preserve your smile, you should see us for a prosthetic right away!
Creating a Dental Bridge
Each one is custom-made, which not only ensures a more attractive appearance, but protects the balance of the bite too. We begin by removing structure from the teeth that sit on either side of the gap. We then take detailed impressions and measurements, which we use in a dental lab to begin creating the bridge. The material we use to craft them is not only strong and durable, but can be shaded to match the color of surrounding teeth and blend with your smile. The prosthetic will contain the new teeth, with crowns attached to each end. We then place the crowns onto the prepared teeth, known as abutment teeth, securing the new ones firmly in place. With this option, we place between one and three lost teeth in a row!
Preserving Your New Smile
To protect remaining natural teeth and ensure your bridge continues to last, you need routine care. With the right steps, your prosthetic could last up to 15 years! You should brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and also floss nightly too. Be sure to cut back on the sugary foods and drinks, too, as this feeds harmful bacteria. You also benefit from routine checkup and cleaning visits every six months as well. If you have any questions about replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge, or about protecting your smile from tooth loss, then contact our team today.
Your Richfield, MN Dentist’s Office Replaces Missing Teeth
At our Richfield, MN dentist’s office, our team wants to help you obtain a full smile again. To find out more about our prosthetic treatment options, then please call Cedar West Family Dentistry at (612) 861-7188.
