Do you have a gap in your smile, left by a missing tooth? Are you afraid to smile because you are embarrassed of gaps left by missing teeth? You have options. A dental bridge is an option for someone missing a tooth, or a few teeth, between other teeth.
Is a ceramic bridge a good way to fill in the gap left by a missing tooth?
Yes! A dentist can use a ceramic bridge to fill in the gap left by missing teeth, to improve the look and function of your teeth.
- Learn more about Dental Bridges
Why should I get a bridge if my missing tooth doesn’t bother me?
If you are not embarrassed by a missing tooth or teeth, good for you. But a missing tooth is not just a matter of self-confidence. Gaps left by a missing tooth or teeth affect more than just the look of your smile. They make you more prone to develop gum disease and other potentially painful problems. Your remaining teeth can shift into the gap and change your bite, which is the alignment of your teeth. This might not sound like a big deal, but an imbalance in your bite can lead to painful problems including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
How does a ceramic bridge work?
A ceramic bridge requires the placement of crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap left by missing teeth. The artificial tooth or set of teeth of the bridge is permanently attached to these crowns.
- Learn more about Dental Crowns
Will a bridge look like my natural teeth, or will people notice it when I smile or talk?
Your dental bridge will look like your natural teeth when you smile and talk. The necessary crowns and artificial teeth will be made to look and function like your natural teeth. A bridge also stays in place like natural teeth.
Is a dental bridge the same as a partial denture?
No. A dental bridge is permanently attached to crowns on adjacent teeth. A partial denture is held in place by metal clasps that fit onto remaining natural teeth. A partial denture can be removed; a bridge cannot. Because a bridge is not removable like dentures, it cannot slip while you eat or talk.
- Learn more about Partial Dentures
What is the difference between a bridge and a dental implant?
A bridge and an implant are both permanent replacements for missing teeth. But how they are held in place is very different. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium, and holds a crown in place like the missing root held your natural tooth in place. It is implanted in the jaw, in the alveolus of the missing tooth (empty tooth pocket), where, over time, the titanium bonds with the jawbone in a manner similar to the original tooth’s bond. A bridge is less invasive because it is attached to crowns on existing teeth instead of being implanted in the jaw.
- Learn more about Dental Implants
Does a dental bridge require any special care?
Like your natural teeth, a ceramic bridge requires good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss every day. Visit your dentist at least every six months to maintain a regular schedule of professional cleanings and any other treatment necessary to keep your natural teeth healthy.
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