When you lose a tooth, or up to three in a row, then you may need a dental bridge. The prosthetic is custom, natural looking, and can last for years to come. We can help you smile with confidence following tooth loss! In today’s blog, your Rowlett, TX, dentist talks about how we plan and place a dental bridge.
The Causes and Risks of Tooth Loss
How do we end up with a gap in our smile? We could lose our natural teeth due to a number of different factors, such as injury to the face or jaw, or as a result of an untreated cavity or infection. The most common cause is periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. When you lose teeth, the gap could increase the risk of misalignment and complications like tooth decay and gum disease. The stress on your jaw joints could mean TMJ disorder and bruxism. You could also feel embarrassed about your smile and even have limited meal options. But by addressing the gaps with a prosthetic, we can help you avoid these complications.
Creating a Custom Prosthetic
If you have between one and three teeth missing in a row, then we will likely recommend a dental bridge. Our team will start care by numbing the teeth on each side of the gap so we can remove structure from them, making room for the crown portion of a bridge. We then take detailed images of these teeth and the gap, so we can design and fabricate the new prosthetic. This will contain new teeth, known as pontics, and crowns attached to each end. We will craft them from materials like ceramic, which can be color-matched to blend with your smile. They also provide a durable chewing surface too!
Securing Your New Smile
For traditional options, we will attach the crown portions of the prosthetic to the abutment teeth, the ones we removed structure from. This supports the bridge and the prosthetic can last about 10 to 15 years on average, requiring eventual replacement. We could also discuss options secured with dental implants, which preserves tooth structure and enables your new teeth to stay in place much longer.
If you have any questions about how our team will design and treat tooth loss with a custom-made dental bridge, or if you have a gap in your smile that needs attention, then please reach out to our team today to learn more.
SCHEDULE YOUR DENTAL PROSTHETIC APPOINTMENT TODAY
Our team wants to help you enjoy a full smile by taking on your minor tooth loss with a custom solution. To learn more about our tooth replacement options, call Rodem Tree Dental in Rowlett, TX, today at 972-475-2321.