1913 W South Blvd. Troy, MI 48098
Posted 11/18/2022
If you are missing a tooth or a few teeth, this can cause a number of different problems. The aesthetic problems associated with missing teeth are obvious. There are also several different dental health issues related to missing teeth, such as:
- Less bite strength
- Reduced ability to eat certain foods
- Loss of bone density
- Gum recession
- Gradual misalignment of remaining teeth
In order to address both the aesthetic and dental health issues related to tooth loss, it's imperative that patients visit with a Troy cosmetic dentist. One ideal treatment option to consider for such issues is a dental bridge, which we'd like to take a moment to consider right now.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a small set of artificial teeth that is able to restore the appearance and bite strength of a patient's teeth. The dental bridge is held in place by bracing around the teeth that are adjacent to the tooth gap.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
With a dental bridge designed by a cosmetic dentist serving Troy, your smile will look great and no one will realize that you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth. In addition, your ability to chew normally and to eat certain foods will be restored.
Ideal Candidates for Dental Bridges
The best candidates for dental bridges are people who are missing a tooth or a few teeth. It's important that patients have enough teeth remaining to support a bridge, however. If a patient is missing many teeth in a row, another option for replacing missing teeth will need to be considered.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
While dental bridges provide a generally stable set of replacement teeth, there is another option to consider for the best possible hold: dental implants. Implant-supported bridges are less likely to slip out from normal use since they are firmly anchored in place.
Troy dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the bone and soft tissues of the mouth. Over the course of a few months after the initial oral surgery, the dental implant will fuse with the bone and gum tissue. This is what ensures stability comparable to that of natural tooth roots.
Best Candidates for Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
Ideal candidates for implant-supported dental bridges are people who are missing a tooth or a few teeth and have sufficient bone and gum density to support the implants when in place. Grafting surgery can be performed to add additional gum and bone tissue if needed, though not all patients qualify for these additional procedures.
Other Options for Advanced Dental Treatment
When you are missing many teeth in a row and do not qualify for dental bridges, the best option to consider is a full or partial denture. Rather than relying on remaining adjacent teeth to be held in place, the denture will support itself by pressing against the remaining gum and bone structures in the area of the tooth gap. Like dental bridges, these dentures can be held in place with dental implants, though the same considerations for candidacy apply. We can discuss these and other cosmetic dentistry and general dental care matters in greater detail during your visit.
Contact Our Advanced Dental Care Practice
For more information about dental bridges and your many other options for advanced dentistry, be sure to contact our Troy cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. The entire team here is eager to meet you in person and help you make the best possible decisions regarding your dental health and the appearance of your smile.