Dental Bridges Can Connect You To Better Oral Health

A missing tooth can impact your oral health, causing a change in your bite, jaw discomfort, or pain while chewing. It can also affect your confidence when you smile. A dental bridge, however, is a great solution to help relieve pain, prevent tooth decay, and provide positive self-esteem. Our dental team in Pella, IA, wants you to feel and look your best when it comes to your teeth. A dental bridge procedure may be just the treatment you need for a better quality of life.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a series of artificial replacement teeth that look natural. It fills in missing space and is bonded to the surrounding healthy teeth. There are four types of dental bridges:

• Traditional bridges – These are the most popular bridges. Dental crowns hold the replacement tooth (also called a pontic) in place by connecting it to healthy teeth on both sides of it.
• Cantilever bridges – These types of bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but a pontic is only connected on one side to a healthy tooth.
• Maryland bridges – For these types of bridges, a metal or porcelain framework holds the replacement tooth in place instead of crowns.
• Implant-supported bridges – These types of bridges are a good option when more than one tooth is missing. Although dental implants feel more secure, they require two surgeries, one for the implants and one for the bridge.

What Happens if I Don’t Get a Dental Bridge?

Having a full set of teeth leads to better oral health. If you lose a tooth, nearby teeth may move or tilt to fill in the space. This can cause chewing problems and jaw stress, as well as alter the appearance of your smile. Also, crooked teeth are difficult to clean, which can lead to gum disease or tooth decay if not properly managed. Finally, a missing tooth could cause your jawbone to shrink. This could change the way your lips and cheeks look, causing you to look older than you are.

Dental Bridge Procedures are Safe and Routine

Dental bridges are safe and routine procedures that don’t require surgeries. You can stay awake during the treatment while we use a local anesthetic in the area of the mouth we are working on. Recovery time is minimal, and you should be able to eat normally once the procedure is completed.

Don’t Let a Missing Tooth Impact with Your Health

Replacing a missing tooth with a dental bridge is an easy and cost-effective way to restore your overall health and appearance. It can also give you confidence when you smile. To learn more, schedule an appointment with your dentist by calling Allen & Neumann Family Dentistry in Pella, IA, today at (641) 628-1121.