When a gap occurs due to tooth loss, this could not only cause embarrassment, but could weaken your oral health! Which is why you need to seek tooth replacement. In today’s blog, your Greenville, TX, dentist explains how we can replace a missing tooth with a durable and natural-looking dental bridge.
The Loss of a Tooth
How do we lose our natural teeth, and what happens next? We could lose a tooth due to an injury or accident. An untreated cavity or infection could also be responsible, and in most cases, periodontitis is the culprit. Missing teeth, even if it’s only one lost tooth, could lead to major issues. For example, surrounding teeth could drift from position to cause misalignment. This cages the appearance of your smile further, and also increases the risk of cavities and periodontal issues. The strain on your bite balance due to tooth loss could mean the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You could also feel uncomfortable with your appearance! But we can help with a custom dental bridge.
Crafting Your Dental Prosthetic
How do we craft a custom-made dental bridge? To begin, we will numb the teeth on each end of the gap. These natural teeth are known as abutment teeth, and we will remove structure from them. Next, we gather detailed images of these prepared teeth and the gap with digital imaging, using the images and measurements we obtain in a lab setting to design and fabricate your new prosthetic. The ceramic prosthetic will contain new teeth with crowns on one or both ends. The material can be shaded to blend with the smile, and the ceramic can also absorb daily bite forces and pressures with ease. When your new teeth are ready, we will have you return so we can attach your new prosthetic.
Attaching Your Dental Bridge
Our team will check the fit to see if your prosthetic needs any minor adjustments. We then connect the crown portions of the prosthetic to the abutment teeth, which anchors your new teeth firmly in place. With proper care and attention, your new teeth can stay in place for years to come, as many as 10 to 15. If you have any questions about how our team will design and craft a new bridge, or about treating or avoiding tooth loss, then contact our team today to get started. You deserve a full smile, and we are ready to help make it a reality for you!
Schedule An Appointment for Prosthetic Dentistry
With a dental bridge, we have the ability to address the gap in your smile. Schedule an appointment with Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, today at 903-455-5750 to learn more about our lifelike tooth replacements.