A fixed bridge is stable, secure, and offers a lifelike appearance. We could use them to address minor causes of tooth loss, restoring function and beauty to your smile. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist will discuss how we help replace missing teeth, and how we ensure your new prosthetic looks natural.
The Factors Behind Tooth Loss
Losing your adult teeth is possible through an injury, or an untreated cavity or infection. But the most common factor is gum disease, or the advanced stage of it, known as periodontitis. When you lose a tooth, this could upset the balance and health of your smile. For example, the alignment of your teeth could shift, which changes the appearance of your smile and could lead to issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Missing teeth could also strain the jaw joints, increasing the risk of issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) eventually.
Creating a Fixed Bridge
A bridge is a way to address minor tooth loss. The prosthetic helps us replace between one and three missing teeth in a row. To get started, we will administer a numbing agent and remove structure from the natural teeth on either side of the gap. We then take detailed images with digital scanning technology. These images let us design and craft the bridge in a lab setting. The prosthetic contains new teeth with crowns attached to each end. The prosthetic itself is crafted from materials such as ceramic, which are metal-free and can be color-matched to blend with your smile. When the bridge is ready, you will return to the office for placement.
Placement and Maintenance
The crowns will be attached to the abutment teeth, which secures your new teeth in place. The prosthetic will last about 10 to 15 years on average. To preserve them and protect the teeth we’ve attached them to, you need to brush and floss the prosthetic and even clean the space between the tip of the gums and the bottom of the bridge. These actions also protect your smile from further missing teeth. If you have any questions about how we replace missing teeth, or about how to avoid the loss of your teeth, then please contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you continue to enjoy optimal oral health and a smile that makes a great first impression!
Do You Have Questions About Tooth Loss?
When you lose a tooth, this could cause problems for your smile unless you seek treatment. To learn more about replacing missing teeth or about how we design and craft a custom dental prosthetic, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
