We appreciate a unique smile as much as the next, but sometimes the things that make your smile different can also pose threats to your oral health. Gaps between teeth are a perfect example. A small gap between front teeth adds character, some would say, but an entire missing tooth? Not so much. And if you’ve lost two or more teeth in a row, it’s hard to feel fully comfortable flashing your smile. Veneers and braces are available for minor gaps, but substantial gaps left by missing teeth require dental prosthetics, such as dental implants, a dental bridge, or even a partial denture. Dr. Todd Pizzi, who offers dental bridges in Shrewsbury, MA, discusses the advantages of this alternative to missing teeth.
The Basics of Dental Bridges
We use a dental bridge to fill in the space left by one or more missing teeth. In cases of multiple missing teeth, the teeth must be directly adjacent to the others. Each prosthetic consists of a dental crown at each end, with the correct number of artificial teeth between the two crowns. The remaining teeth locate on each side of the gap serve as an abutment for the bridge, serving as a point to secure your prosthetic. Your new artificial teeth are custom crafted of dental porcelain, which is stain-resistant and appears practically indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Preserving Your Healthy Teeth
One disadvantage of a dental bridge is that it affects your remaining teeth, specifically the abutment teeth that anchor your prosthetic in place. For this reason, the adjacent teeth must be sufficiently strong and healthy to support your new bridge. If not, you may wish to consider alternative dental prosthetics, such as dental implants or a partial denture. Dental implants, which require a greater investment, are generally recommended as the go-to choice to replace lost or extracted teeth. Compared to other options, implants afford greater durability and do not have adverse effects on your teeth and jaw. Implants are surgically imbedded into your jawbone, then topped with an artificial tooth.
Questions about dental prosthetics in Shrewsbury, MA? To learn more about dental bridges, implants, or dentures, or to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, contact us at . We welcome patients living in Shrewsbury, North and South Grafton, Milford, Worcester, Boylston, and the surrounding areas. For information about our Stoughton location, click here.
