Dental Bridges: The Best Replacement for Missing Teeth?

A dental bridge is a false tooth. It is also called a pontic, held in place by the abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. Its role is to fill the space left by a missing tooth caused by extraction. Usually made out of porcelain, it has four main types: traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported.

The question is, are dental bridges the best replacement for missing teeth? Here are some benefits you can expect to get from them.

1. Natural-Looking Smile

Most people fear getting dentures to replace their teeth. However, it’s not surprising as dentures produce a fake smile. But dental bridges made out of porcelain have a good chance of creating natural smiles, matching the color and shape of the missing tooth. In effect, those wearing them do not have to be insecure about the new set of teeth they have.

2. Convenience

Dental bridges resolve a patient’s issue with their smile in an instant. The procedure is relatively fast and easy, requiring patients only to take two trips to their dentist’s office. As soon as the dentist has taken a mold of the patient’s teeth, they will begin filing the adjacent teeth and then fit the new teeth in place. However, for more complex cases such as patients requesting a dental implant to anchor the bridge, a few more trips to the dentist may help achieve a better smile.

3. Comfort

Besides looking great, dental bridges are notorious for feeling as comfortable as the patient’s original teeth. People getting them shouldn’t worry about changes in speech, bite, and self-consciousness. Instead, the material fits perfectly on the location of the missing teeth while guaranteeing a better smile.

4. Prevents Bone Loss

Bone loss is one of the most common problems for people missing a tooth. Often caused by a disease or infection, it leads the existing tooth to loosen, move, or spread out. Meanwhile, bone loss also affects the jawbone when a tooth has been removed. It results in the shrinking of the jawbone and the gums.

Through the help of a dental bridge, patients shouldn’t have to worry about their jawbone weakening or shrinking. Instead, the dental appliance will act as a filler to make up for the extracted missing tooth.

5. Stops Misalignment

Misalignment is the result of tooth loss. As the other teeth start to move into the gap left by the missing teeth, there will be more spaces between each tooth than before. However, by filling in the gap using a dental bridge, patients wouldn’t have to worry about a few gaps as the bridge will keep everything in place.

Conclusion

Compared to regular dentures, dental bridges are the best replacements for missing teeth. Since they do not have to be removed, patients do not have to take them out to brush and do specific dental care routines. Moreover, the material used to create dental bridges is strong and can withstand several years of use—most dental bridges last up to fifteen years, considering you take care of them properly.

However, it’s something to consider that before having them installed, dentists would have to file down the teeth adjacent to both sides of the gap to make room for fitting and keep the dental bridges in place. Unfortunately, there may be risks of nerve damage, possibly requiring a root canal treatment, if it comes to worse. But complications aside, dental implants are best for replacing a missing tooth.

Dental House MI is a privately-owned dental office providing affordable dentistry to the people of Ypsilanti. We create dentures and dental implants for those wanting to have a perfect smile once again. Visit any dental offices in Ann Arbor and Waterford, MI, and get 25 percent off on all dental services!