A missing tooth can not only lower your confidence but can also put a strain on your surrounding teeth. With modern dental cosmetic procedures, your smile can be fixed in no time. The popular two options include Dental Implants and Dental Bridges. While Dental implants remain the best option for tooth replacement, Dental bridges can also be considered for addressing your missing tooth.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A Dental bridge involves placing a false tooth (a pontic) in place of the missing tooth which is anchored by crowns on the adjacent teeth either side.
How does Dental Bridges help?
- They restore your precious smile.
- They distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth. It needs to be noted that though the bite is produced, they do not serve to stimulate the missing tooth area because there is no root underneath the bridge.
- They prevent your teeth from drifting away from their position.
- They restore your ability to speak properly.
- They reduce the probability of gum infection.
- The cost of getting dental bridges is cheaper than dental implants.
6 Benefits of getting Dental Bridges
Aesthetics
Missing one or more teeth especially your front teeth can lower your confidence and self-esteem. Many people become self-conscious about the way they talk and smile when they lose some of their teeth. In fact, several people become reluctant to smile during social interactions giving way to many awkward situations. The outer skin near the lips and oral region also sags in the event there are missing teeth giving an aged appearance.
The effectiveness of your bite
When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth cannot provide evenly distributed force when you bite. This results in no bite in the places where there are missing teeth. Some people choose to chew their food on the side with all teeth intact if they have missing teeth on the other. This is due to the habit they develop subconsciously.
Displacement of surrounding teeth
Though our teeth are firmly fixed on our jaws, they can move. This issue aggravates when you have a missing tooth. The adjacent teeth intrude into the gaps and can drift from their original position.
Speech problems
Your gums and teeth also provide shape and support to your face. Your speech may also be affected due to lack of support to your tongue in the absence of one or more tooth. If one of the front teeth is missing, a typical hiss sound is produced while the patient speaks.
Infection
When there are missing teeth and they have not been extracted professionally, your root is exposed which makes it prone to bacterial infections. Studies show that infections in tooth loss area are linked to heart disease, diabetes, and even kidney diseases. Gum infection can lead to serious gum diseases like periodontitis and can increase the risk of losing more teeth.
Pocket-Friendly procedure
Dental Bridges are just an economical option and do not offer the advantages of dental implants. The dental bridges have a life of around 10 years after which they need to be replaced. Dental Implants remain the best solution for tooth replacement if there are missing teeth.
