Bridging the Gap with Dental Bridges
Healthy teeth and gums are an important part of each person’s appearance, and essential for anyone who wants to look and feel his or her best. Unfortunately, teeth don’t heal themselves, and far too many of us end up losing one or more of them at different points in our lives. When that happens, we’re usually left with only two options: ignore the resulting gap and deal with the consequences or replace the lost tooth. For those who wisely choose the second option, dental bridges can be a great way to bridge the gap.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A bridge is a type of replacement tooth that is designed to fill in the gap created by lost teeth. Bridges can be made from a variety of different materials, but they all have one common purpose: to restore dental function and help you maintain your face’s natural shape. Bridges can be a good option for patients who cannot get implants. The bridge is crafted, affixed to the teeth adjacent to any gap, and then remains there permanently.
A dental bridge can be an ideal choice for anyone with healthy gums and whose remaining teeth and jawbone can support the structure. Naturally, dentists will select a different option if that’s not the case. In some instances, patients may need implants as well, to better secure the bridge when multiple teeth are missing, and a large gap needs to be covered. Implants can provide even more support than natural teeth since they are fused directly to the jawbone.
What Does a Bridge Do?
Dental bridges provide many benefits to the patients who choose them. By replacing missing teeth, they restore your dental function and enable you to bite, chew, and eat just as you did before your tooth loss. They also help to ensure that your remaining teeth remain in their proper place by plugging the gap and preventing those teeth from moving.
Finally, your bridge can help you to maintain your proper appearance. Missing teeth can lead to sagging skin and other changes that could alter your face. Missing teeth can cause bone loss that diminishes the support provided by your jawbone. And since the jawbone supports your check and lips, that diminished support will change your facial shape and could leave you looking older than you want to appear.
Caring for Your Bridge
Naturally, you will need to care for your bridge to ensure that it provides these benefits for years to come. That means brushing regularly and flossing as directed by your dentist. You will want to keep your remaining teeth as healthy as possible to ward off dental disease and keep them strong and healthy. Your daily hygiene routine will keep plaque at bay and preserve dental integrity.
And don’t forget to schedule and keep your regular dental appointments. Regularly-scheduled checkups and maintenance for your teeth and bridge will be vitally important for protecting your remaining teeth and helping you to enjoy sound dental health for the rest of your life.