A permanent dental prosthetic can be your relief from the frustration and embarrassment you can experience after losing teeth. Many people are reluctant to let others see that they have a gap in their smile. If nothing is done about the gap, your surrounding teeth are more likely to be lost as well. If you have to change how you bite, chew, or speak because of tooth loss, your jaw joints can experience a buildup of stress that leads to TMJ issues. You can have a dental bridge set, which can improve your smile, and help you feel like you can enjoy natural jaw function again.
A Dental Bridge Offers A Permanent Prosthetic Without Oral Surgery
A dental bridge offers permanent prosthetic support, but you will not need oral surgery to enjoy that stability. What keeps the bridge in place is a pair of dental crowns, which your dentist will set on the teeth on either side of your gap. Your pontic – the replacement tooth – is permanently set between those crowns, and will stay in position once those crowns are placed. A bridge can replace a single lost tooth, or up to three adjacent teeth.
How Dental Care Affects Your Tooth Loss Risk
Better oral care will make it easier for you to avoid losing teeth later in life. During regular checkups with your dentist, you receive a full cleaning of your teeth, which can remove stubborn tartar at your gum line. A buildup of plaque and tartar at your gum line can cause gum disease, and complications from gum disease can lead to tooth loss.