Avoid further damage, replace teeth sooner rather than later with dental bridges
The services that we offer at Mirage Family Dentistry in Yorktown, Virginia, are about more than maintaining and restoring a pretty smile. In fact, as Dr. Rajni Kapoor will tell you, an attractive smile is a nice side effect of a healthy mouth. Due to the myriad health consequences of tooth loss, Dr. Kapoor generally recommends replacing teeth as soon as possible. Prompt tooth replacement halts or prevents devastating bone loss. This destructive process gradually breaks down the hard tissue in the jaw. Since such tissues support the structure of the face, bone resorption prematurely “ages” the patient and worsens existing functional problems.
Bridges to replace teeth
Dental bridges fall under the category of restorative dentistry. Dental restorations involve using special materials to build up portions of a damaged tooth or to recreate a tooth that has been irreversibly damaged. More conservative restorations include dental fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns. Replacement or prosthetic teeth are designed to fill gaps in the smile. A tooth may have been lost to trauma or require extraction due to severe decay. While many teeth are good candidates for root canal therapy, not all such treatments are appropriate or successful. Sometimes, the tooth is “too far gone,” or the treated tooth fails to heal properly. Infection may linger.
Dr. Kapoor can get you smiling proudly, eating comfortably, and speaking confidently again with bridges. Due to our range of onsite capabilities, Mirage Family Dentistry is equipped to offer both conventional bridges and implant-supported dental bridges. These options differ in more than a few ways:
- Traditional fixed dental bridges are made with at least one replacement tooth (called a “pontic”) and two crowns that are placed over the neighboring anchor teeth. The crowns and pontic are fused together and then cemented in place over the anchor teeth. Once the crowns are secured to nearby teeth, the pontic fills in the empty space. These bridges are non-removable. We can discuss ways to ensure they remain healthy and in good condition; notably, products are available to help you to better clean underneath the bridge.
- Implant-supported bridges do not require alteration of neighboring teeth and the application of dental crowns. The bridge or replacement tooth is supported by a dental implant secured in the jawbone. The implant is designed to integrate into the surrounding bone and to function as a tooth root. Once the crown or bridge is attached, the implant “roots” or stabilizes the prosthetic in the jawbone.
One implant may be applied to support or retain a single prosthetic tooth. Or, a few implants may be used to retain some missing teeth. For individuals with more extensive cases of tooth loss, a minimal number of implants are secured in the jaw to stabilize a denture.
We look forward to discussing your options at greater length. Call (757) 856-5545 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Kapoor at our office in Yorktown, VA, today.
