When you have a tooth that has been badly damaged or decayed, you know that you can turn to a dental crown to restore its function and beauty, but this basic restoration can do much more! When two dental crowns are attached to a prosthetic tooth, it can be used to replace a missing tooth. This restoration is called a dental bridge. In fact, the abutment crowns in a bridge can support two or even more prosthetics in the middle, allowing you to revitalize your smile even after severe tooth loss. In this post, you’ll learn how your dentist in Midland can bring back your smile with this solution and how an implant-retained bridge can give you even more benefits.
Why is it important to replace my missing teeth?
Replacing your missing teeth is about more than just restoring your appearance. Losing just a single tooth can have a serious impact on your health. The remaining teeth can wander out of position, causing a change in your bite and potentially creating problems with your jaw. Also, without a tooth root to stimulate it, the jaw bone can atrophy, weakening and altering the shape of your face. Perhaps most important, without your teeth, you won’t be able to eat nutritious foods and can suffer the negative health effects. Whether you are missing one tooth or more than that, you need to replace them!
How can a dental bridge replace multiple missing teeth?
A traditional bridge needs to be anchored to the two healthy teeth that surround the gap in your smile. If you’re missing two or more consecutive teeth, a bridge with multiple prosthetic teeth between the crowns can allow you to use that section of your mouth for chewing, grinding, speaking, and smiling like you did before tooth loss. This restoration also keeps your remaining teeth in proper alignment for optimal function.
What is an implant-retained bridge?
For three or more missing in a row, you can take advantage of an advanced replacement solution: a implant-retained bridge. Instead of anchoring to two natural teeth, the bridge attaches to dental implants, which are the next best thing to natural tooth structure. Dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw bone, preserving the jaw bone’s strength and your facial structure.
What are the benefits of an implant-retained bridge?
Choosing to have an implant-retained bridge means you get to enjoy several advantages, including:
- Better appearance.
- Longer lifespan of about 30 years, unlike 10 years with bridges alone.
- No healthy tooth structure is removed.
- Replacing missing multiple teeth with only two dental implants.
This implant-secured restorations are considered the gold standard in dentistry, and it’s clear to see why.
Ultimately, your missing teeth are worth replacing. In addition to improved aesthetics, you can have a higher quality of life, especially if you choose an implant-retained bridge. Get back on the path toward a healthier smile for life by scheduling a consultation with your dentist in Midland today!
About the Practice
In Midland, families have access to not just one but three dentists with years of expertise at Boyles General Dentistry. Dr. Franklin Boyles, who has achieved Fellowship status with the Academy of General Dentistry, and Dr. Stephen Boyles are joined by Dr. Ken Etheredge, who has over 35 years of dentistry experience. To schedule your consultation to discuss dental bridges or implant-retained bridges, call (432) 685-7011 or click here.