Bridging the Gap: How Dental Bridges Can Transform Your Smile

If you have experienced tooth loss, you know how it has affected your smile and functionality. A dental bridge is an excellent solution for most people who have lost more than one tooth but aren’t ready to make the move to dentures or dental implants. Let’s dive in and learn more about how a dental bridge can be used to restore your smile.

What Is a Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is an oral appliance that can replace one missing tooth or several missing teeth. As the word “bridge” implies, dental bridges are used to “bridge” gaps in our smile. Bridges are made using abutments and pontics. Abutments are the structures that are used to support your dental bridge. An abutment may be your natural tooth, but it can also refer to small connector posts that dentists use for implant-supported bridges. Pontics refer to the artificial teeth that are used to fill the gaps in our teeth caused by missing teeth.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

The primary benefits of a dental bridge are smile restoration and restored functionality. With a dental bridge, you can eat your favorite foods again. You’ll also feel more confident when you smile and interact with other people. Also, if missing teeth have affected your speech, you’ll be able to speak properly again with a dental bridge. One issue with missing teeth is that the remaining teeth can shift. With a bridge, this outcome is eliminated.

Actual Patient Results

Traditional Fixed Bridge

This type of bridge is the most common one. A traditional fixed bridge is made with dental crowns on both ends and artificial teeth (pontics) between the two crowns. The crowns are bonded to your natural teeth on both sides of the gap. Then, the artificial teeth are used to fill in the space. Traditional bridges are a great option if you have healthy natural teeth remaining on both sides of the gap. 

Implant-Supported Bridge

While similar to a traditional fixed bridge, implant-supported bridges use two dental implants as support instead of your natural teeth. Implants are made using a titanium screw that fuses with your jawbone and replaces the root of your extracted tooth. Then, an abutment and crown are placed on top of the screws. Two implants are used to anchor the bridge to fill the gap between your teeth. 

Why Tooth Restoration Is Important

Missing teeth can occur due to decay, damage, or extractions. Besides affecting your smile, a missing tooth can also have an impact on your gums and remaining teeth. Also, there is an increased risk of gum disease if you have missing teeth. Gum disease can affect a person’s overall health. Equally concerning, a missing tooth can cause:

• Bone loss in the jaw
• Speech problems
• Inefficient chewing
• Shifting of remaining teeth
• Increased risk of cavities in your remaining teeth 

Your Options: A Dental Bridge for Replacing Teeth in Yorktown

Are you missing teeth? Dr. Rajni Kapoor with Mirage Family Dentistry in Yorktown, Virginia, is here to help with your smile restoration. Call us today at (757) 856-5545 or request an appointment using our online form. 

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