We’ve discussed how we repair your teeth, but what do we do when you lose a tooth? In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist will discuss how we restore your lost teeth with a custom-made dental bridge, one that looks natural and lasts for many years to come! Don’t live with unsightly gaps in your smile, we have a solution.
The Risks of Losing a Tooth
A tooth could become lost due to issues like severe tooth decay or infection, and is also linked to accidents and injury. The most common cause is actually periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. When we lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth could move from position, leading to misalignment. Tooth decay and gum disease become more frequent following this. The strain on your jaw joints and the changes to your bite balance due to missing teeth could mean TMJ disorder and bruxism. Tooth loss is also linked to problems eating, speaking clearly, and embarrassment in social situations.
Designing a Prosthetic to Stabilize Your Smile
If you have between one and three missing teeth in a row, then a custom dental bridge could be the prosthetic to restore balance and stabilize your smile. The prosthetic consists of new teeth, known commonly as pontics, with crowns attached to each end. We design them based on detailed digital impressions and measurements we take of your smile, and craft them in a dental lab using durable and lifelike materials, such as ceramic. Your final product is color-matched to your smile, ensuring they look completely natural.
Placement and Care
When we decide you need a bridge, we will remove structure from the natural teeth on either side of the gap, known as abutment teeth. When the prosthetic is complete, we place the crowns onto these teeth, securing your new ones firmly in place. With proper care and attention, a dental bridge could last between 10 and 15 years on average. Routine care helps keep them strong, and protects your remaining natural teeth. We suggest brushing and flossing daily, seeing us every six months, and cutting back on sugary foods and drinks.
If you have any questions about preventing tooth loss, or if you would like a custom prosthetic to address the gaps in your smile, then please contact our team today. We understand the value of a full smile, and want to help with a finished product that looks great and fits comfortably.
Your Richfield, MN Dentist’s Office Offers Dental Replacement
At our Richfield, MN dentist’s office, our team knows the value of a complete smile, and why you need a prosthetic to address missing teeth. To find out more how we replace one or more missing teeth, then please call Cedar West Family Dentistry at (612) 861-7188.
