Implants are a way to fix a missing tooth but the more traditional dental bridge is still an option for patients who have lost a tooth and are looking to fill the gap in the mouth.
A dental bridge is well named because it does just what it says – it creates a bridge that helps close the gap when a tooth has been knocked out or removed. The bridge consists of a crown on each side of the missing tooth. The crowns are used as abutments that serve as an anchor for the bridge.
The false tooth that fills in for the missing tooth is called a pontic. The pontic is attached to the bridge and fits precisely in between the adjacent teeth. Most pontics are now made from porcelain materials that can be colored to look exactly like the existing teeth in the patient’s mouth.
Creating a dental bridge for patients is one of our specialties at Beyond Dental Health. Our team at our office in Abington, MA, can fabricate a bridge and restore your smile in as little as two visits. Here are some of the benefits of filling that space in your mouth with a bridge.
A Simple Replacement for Your Smile
The American Dental Association says a bridge is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to replace a missing tooth. Even before the area where the tooth was removed has healed, work on the bridge can begin. The teeth on either side of the vacant area can be prepared for the crowns that will keep the bridge in place. Once the appliance is ready, it can be cemented to the abutment teeth.
Chew Properly and Speak More Clearly
With the pontic in place, patients will be able to chew without hesitation once again. Confidently chewing certain foods (meat, candy, carrots, and apples for example) can be challenging and uncomfortable when a tooth is missing.
Speaking can also be an issue when there is a vacant area in the mouth. Sounds are made by the tongue pressing against the teeth. When there are teeth missing, the tongue can’t form the same sounds and a person’s pronunciation of sounds can suffer.
Maintain the Natural Shape of the Face
When teeth are missing from the jaw, there can be a deterioration of the jawbone. Research indicates that a vacant area in the jaw can lose as much as 25% of its bone volume in a single year. If the space in the mouth remains vacant, the bone loss can continue for years.
A bridge acts as a replacement tooth, even though it is not embedded in the jaw. The act of chewing and speech can stimulate the area to produce natural bone growth once again.
Keep the Teeth from Shifting
A bridge will keep the existing teeth in place and prevent them from slowly shifting into the open area adjacent to them. When teeth shift, they could become loose and more susceptible to plague and decay.
If you are considering a dental bridge, give our Beyond Dental Health office in Abington, MA, a call at (781) 878.0001 to schedule a free consultation. You can also visit our website here.
Beyond Dental Health also has three other South Shore locations in Cohasset, Hanson, and South Weymouth for your convenience. Don’t let a missing tooth take away from your amazing smile. Let us prepare a good oral hygiene plan that includes a bridge to close the missing area in your mouth.