Is a Dental Bridge an Ideal Option for My Missing Tooth?
When you have a missing tooth, you avoid smiling, talking, or laughing in public. Your self-esteem, oral health, and dental function are negatively impacted. Fortunately, there are several dental restoration methods to restore your smile. Read on to learn how dental bridges in Courtice & Oshawa, ON, compare to other restorations.
What Are Dental Bridges?
They are devices used in dentistry to restore missing teeth. A dental bridge consists of dental crowns and an artificial tooth or teeth. The crowns are attached to the false tooth, known as the pontic, on either side. They are anchored by the teeth on either side of the tooth gap called abutments. The dentist customizes them to resemble surrounding teeth in color, shape, and size.
The false teeth on dental bridges are made of materials such as porcelain, gold, or metal alloys. When replacing molars, the dentist will use materials like gold or metal alloys. Although they are strong and can withstand chewing forces, they are unattractive. The dentist will design false teeth made of porcelain for front teeth restorations. It looks like natural teeth and will blend in.
There are different types of bridges: Traditional Fixed, Cantilever, and Maryland Bridges. The dental bridge procedure is straightforward, non-invasive, and requires only two dental visits. Your dentist will ensure that your restoration complements your smile, bite, and appearance.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
- Replacing lost teeth with a dental bridge helps restore your smile and self-esteem. The dentist will customize your bridge to resemble the surrounding teeth and appear natural.
- The dental bridge procedure is straightforward. Your dentist will restore your smile and dental function quickly. This helps to improve your quality of life.
- Chewing certain types of food and pronouncing some words can be difficult if you miss teeth. Tooth bridges help restore the ability to speak and chew properly.
- Tooth loss leads to jawbone deterioration causing sagging in the facial tissues around the jaws. This makes you appear older. Dental bridges restore and help maintain the face’s natural shape. They give you a youthful appearance.
- When you lose a tooth or several, the surrounding teeth shift into the created gap. This lead to dental misalignment and loose teeth. Restoring the missing teeth with bridges prevents the nearby teeth from moving out of their proper positions.
- There are various types of dental bridges in Courtice & Oshawa, ON. If one class is unsuitable for you, the dentist can choose from the other dental bridge types.
Comparing Dental Bridges With Other Restorations
When you visit a dentist near me, they will provide various dental restoration options. They will suggest options like dental implants, partial dentures, and bridges. If you want dental bridges, you should compare them to the other restorations for better decision-making. Below are a few comparisons to help you choose.
- Dental bridges vs. dental implants
Dental implants are teeth-replacing devices that mimic the entire tooth structure. A small post is placed in the jawbone to support artificial teeth. The implant procedure takes a longer time than a dental bridge one. In addition, you will need to visit the dentist severally, unlike when getting bridges.
It is more invasive than a dental bridge procedure as you may require bone grafting. Dental bridges have lower upfront costs than implants. However, dental implants are more cost-effective in the long run. Placing dental bridges affects and damages surrounding healthy teeth. In addition, dental implants are more durable than bridges.
- Dental bridges vs. partial dentures
Partial dentures are removable devices used to replace a few missing teeth. They consist of the replacement tooth or teeth attached to a gum-colored base. Partial dentures are removable, unlike dental bridges, which are permanently fixed. Therefore, they make it easy to maintain proper oral hygiene. However, on the downside, you can damage or lose your partial denture easily.
Dental bridges are more expensive than partial dentures but are usually covered by dental insurance. However, partial dentures last longer than dental bridges. In addition, teeth adjacent to the gap will not be affected by partial dentures as they would with bridges.
Are you considering replacing your missing tooth? Then contact us at Brightway Dental for various dental restoration options. We will efficiently restore your lost tooth, giving you a beautiful, natural-looking smile.