A dental bridge is a tooth restoration that can be used to fill in the space left by missing teeth. The false tooth, or pontic, is anchored by crowns on the natural teeth or dental implants on both sides.
Dental bridges offer several benefits, including improved ability to eat, speak, and feel confident. They can also help prevent the other teeth from moving into space and help preserve the jawbone.
1. It Prevents Teeth Shifting
When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth shift into the empty space. This is because the jawbone deteriorates over time—and the surrounding teeth can fall out of the mouth.
A dental bridge can help prevent the surrounding teeth from moving into the empty space. If an implant is used, the bone will grow into the implant, anchoring the teeth into place. If crowns are used, they will act as anchors, and the bone will grow around them.
2. It Improves the Ability to Speak and Chew
Natural teeth support the jawbone and help move food around when you chew. The neighboring teeth will move into the empty space if a tooth is missing. This can change how your teeth fit together and make chewing and speaking difficult. A dental bridge restores the missing tooth, allowing the jawbone to support itself again and help re-establish traditional healthy bite alignment.
3. It Improves Your Smile’s Appearance
When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth are not as healthy, straight, and even as they would be with a full set of teeth. This can alter your smile’s appearance, leaving you uncomfortable and insecure.
A dental bridge can improve your smile’s appearance by filling in the empty space between the surrounding teeth. This will help the teeth appear straight, even, and healthy. Dr. Mark Leiter can help you choose the right repair to get the best results.
4. It Prevents the Jawbone from Weakening
One of the biggest benefits of a dental bridge is that it can prevent the jawbone from weakening. Without a missing tooth to support the jawbone, it deteriorates over time, leaving the face looking older than it should and increasing the risk of tooth loss.
A dental bridge can help prevent the jawbone from deteriorating by restoring the space left by a missing tooth. This can slow and even prevent bone deterioration.
5. It Prevents Further Tooth Loss
The dangers of a missing tooth are not limited to teeth shifting and jawbone deterioration. If a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth will lose more of their tooth structure, especially the side of the teeth near the missing tooth.
A dental bridge can help keep the other teeth a healthy length. This can preserve the healthy tooth structure and prevent further tooth loss.
Is a Dental Bridge a Good Option for You?
A dental bridge is a great option for patients who want a tooth-replacement solution that will protect the health of their other teeth. A dental bridge is permanent so that it can last for years. It can make the ideal choice for people who want a lasting solution. It is a solution that can truly benefit your oral health and overall health.
Galleria Dental of Alexandria is a full service dental office serving Alexandria, VA, that treats patients of all ages. We are committed to delivering the highest quality dental care and do so using advanced dental equipment. We provide cosmetic dentistry like checkups, teeth cleaning, crowns, veneers, and emergency dental care services like bonding, root canals, crowns, and bridges. If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentistry in Alexandria, VA, look no further! Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help!