Although it is best for individuals to maintain their natural teeth, many people struggle with overall dental health long term. New technology and old methods are available to help individuals to maintain their ability to chew and speak properly. As the name implies, a bridge helps to create a “bridge” over an area where one or more teeth is missing. Bridge dental work can help you to restore much of your teeth’s function.
Why Do You Need a Bridge?
If you have one or more missing teeth, your dentist may recommend the use of a dental bridge. If you have a missing tooth or you have to have a tooth removed because it is damaged or otherwise in poor condition, your dentist will likely talk to you about bridges. If a gap is left from a missing tooth and nothing is put in its place, this can cause the remaining teeth to shift or even rotate into that open space. This creates bad alignment for the rest of your teeth and, in many cases, can create a poor bite. Additionally, this imbalance can have health consequences including leading to TMJ disorder or gum disease.
How Do Bridges Work?
A bridge spans the space where a tooth is missing. Your dentist will speak to you about the actual procedure that you need. Generally, the process is pretty straightforward. The bridge will span over the space where the missing tooth is located. The bridge is cemented into your existing natural tooth or into implants. These teeth located next to the cap are called abutments. They work as a type of anchor to hold the bridge in place.
What Else You Should Know
Keep the following in mind about bridge dental work:
- You’ll be able to choose the color of the bridge you desire, as well as the material. However, it is often done in a method to match existing teeth.
- Your dentist will talk to you about the advantages of adding bridges to your existing dental health.
- You may be unable to obtain a bridge of your teeth are in poor condition overall or you have jawbone loss that makes the existing teeth too loose to hold the bridge in place.
The good news is there is help available to you. To learn more about bridge dental work or to schedule an appointment with the best dental care provider in Staten Island, call us at 718-535-1196 today.