Dental Bridges

What Are Dental Bridges Losing one or more teeth is not exactly something anyone plans for.  But when it does, something needs to be done. Following tooth loss, no matter how few teeth you lose or where they are located, it is important that you get those teeth replaced. There are many options available for replacing missing teeth today, including dental implants and bridges. Restore Normal Functions To Your Mouth The loss of even a single tooth can greatly impact the functions of your mouth. The empty space can make it harder to bite or chew the foods you eat. Improper chewing can affect your digestion, which can ultimately impact your overall health and nutrition. Food can get lodged in the empty space, which can lead to a greater risk for oral health complications. Depending upon the location of the tooth, your speech may be impacted. With a dental bridge, the empty space is filled in again. The replacement tooth resembles the size and shape of the tooth you lost. You can eat and speak normally again. Since you can more thoroughly chew your food, your digestion, and nutrition improve. Moreover, your oral health improves as well. Keep Your Natural Teeth In Proper Alignment When you lose a tooth, the other teeth can begin to shift out of alignment over time. This happens because the bone that once held the tooth loses mass over time and becomes weaker. The adjacent teeth begin to drift into the empty space, which alters the alignment of the rest of your teeth. Not only can this impact your smile, but it can also impact your oral health. The replacement tooth of your bridge matches the size of your missing tooth. It helps to keep the other teeth from drifting, keeping your smile in its natural alignment. Improve The Quality Of Your Smile Losing a tooth near the front of your mouth can have a significant impact on the quality of your smile. A gap in your smile can leave you feeling quite self-conscious. You may start hiding your smile, or refusing to smile at all, which can have a major impact on how others view you. Bridges can be made from many materials, including porcelain or ceramic. Porcelain crowns and ceramic crowns provide more than just functional benefits. These materials can also be made to look exactly like your natural teeth, providing a perfectly seamless restoration. It will look as if you never lost your tooth in the first place. Maintain Your Facial Shape Something else happens when you lose one or more teeth. In addition to affecting your mouth, tooth loss can also impact your face. Your teeth and jaw provide support for the skin. Missing teeth can result in sunken lips or cheeks. As the skin begins to sag, unwanted lines and wrinkles can form, which can then add years to your face. A bridge helps to restore support to the skin on your face, which helps to fill it out more, giving you back your normal appearance. Dental bridges are a great, affordable option for replacing one or more missing teeth. For more information, and to find out if a bridge is right for you, call Summit Dental Care at (208) 733-9999 today.