According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than a third of Americans, some 120 million, are missing at least one tooth, and more than 10% (over 36 million) do not have any teeth at all. According to that same ACP report, both of those numbers are expected to grow over the next two decades.
For a variety of reasons, it’s vitally important that the site of a missing tooth/teeth, as well as the gums surrounding the area in the mouth, be protected from infection. And there are a variety of ways to provide that protection.
What Long-Term Tooth Replacement Options Are Available?
Fortunately for individuals who’ve suffered tooth loss, there are a variety of long-term tooth replacement options. The most common among these are dental implants, dentures, and dental bridges.
The most natural looking and feeling and longest-lasting of these are dental implants, whose procedure involves the implanting of not only an artificial crown but also a new artificial root into a socket in the jawbone. However, not every patient is a candidate for dental implants and, in cases where many teeth must be replaced, the invasiveness and cost could be an issue.
A more popular choice for cases in which several teeth require replacement is dentures. Dentures are removable, prosthetic dental devices designed to replace the missing teeth and surrounding tissue of patients who have lost some or all of their teeth. Though a good long solution, the wearing and caring for dentures can feel unnatural and uncomfortable for many patients who prefer replacements that are fully fixed in place.
For many individuals, dental bridges, which are anchored in place to remaining natural teeth or existing dental implants, but are less costly and invasive than implants, offer an ideal middle ground.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a dental restoration that is used to restore the function and appearance of natural teeth. Bridges replace one or more missing teeth by “bridging” the gap between remaining teeth or dental implants. The artificial teeth that make up a bridge, also known as “pontics,” are supported by dental crowns placed on the natural teeth or existing dental implants on either side of the gap, referred to as “abutments.”
Dental bridges are typically made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys. They can be customized to match the color and shape of the surrounding natural teeth. With proper care and maintenance, a dental bridge will last for five to seven years, if not longer.
What Does the Process of Getting Dental Bridges Involve?
Getting a dental bridge involves at least two appointments with a dentist or prosthodontist. Typically, on the first visit, the Arvada dentist will prepare the abutments on either side of the gap by taking impressions of the teeth on either side of the gap, as well as one for the dental bridge, and fitting them for the crowns to which the bridge will be secured. At the end of this first visit, the patient will also be fitted with a temporary bridge.
During the second visit, the permanent bridge is placed and secured in the patient’s mouth. This part of the process may take some time and could require additional visits and adjustments. Once the perfect fit is attained, the bridge is cemented into the patient’s mouth.
6 Benefits of Dental Bridges
Wondering about the benefits of a dental bridge as a solution for missing teeth? Here are half a dozen great ones!
- Prevent Other Teeth From Shifting – When one or more teeth are missing, neighboring teeth, with nothing to keep them aligned and in their normal place, can begin shifting into the space vacated by the missing teeth. A dental bridge prevents a person’s remaining adjacent teeth from moving or shifting out of their proper position.
- Improve the Ability to Chew and Eat – Having not only fewer teeth, with gaps in between them, impairs the ability to chew. With a dental bridge, a patient once again has the equivalent of a full complement of strong, properly aligned teeth. This allows them to not only eat just about anything they’d like, but to fully chew all of their food, which helps the digestive system to better extract nutrients.
- Enhance Appearance – A beautiful smile not only goes a long way in making a strong impression on others but also improves self-confidence. Missing, damaged, or discolored teeth detract from the attractiveness of a person’s smile and, by extension, their overall appearance. A dental bridge customized to match the color and shape of natural teeth brightens a person’s smile and provides an all-important confidence boost.
- Improve Speech – Missing teeth can lead to a lisp, poor pronunciation, and other speech impediments. A dental bridge allows a person to speak normally and clearly without discomfort.
- Maintain Facial Structure and Shape – A full set of teeth is vital to helping a person’s face maintain its normal shape. When teeth are missing, the bones that would be supporting them begin to deteriorate, and certain muscles in the face, namely the cheeks and lips, begin to sink and sag, making a person look much older than they actually are. A dental bridge can help a person who’s suffered tooth loss not only maintain a normal, younger-looking facial shape but also to prevent bone loss in the part of the jaw where the missing teeth or tooth used to be.
- Are a Long-Term Solution! As we noted above, if fitted properly by a dentist and cared for properly by a patient post-procedure, dental bridges can last for at least five to seven years, if not longer.
Dental Bridges in Arvada, CO
If you’re in the Arvada area and are considering your long-term tooth replacement options, contact dentist Dr. Jesse Jenkins and the team at Five Parks Dental to schedule a consultation appointment to learn if a dental bridge is right for you.