A dental bridge is an appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. It’s a great way to restore the look and function of your smile without more invasive and expensive options like surgical dental implants.
A bridge consists of one or more false teeth, called pontics. These teeth are anchored on a support structure and secured in place by one or two dental crowns.
Crowns act as a “cap” that covers all visible portions of your natural teeth. They provide an incredibly secure foundation for a dental bridge and are crafted to look just like your natural teeth.
While missing teeth can change the appearance of your smile, there are also serious dental health issues to consider. Your teeth are aligned in an upper and lower arch, and each tooth provides support to the adjacent teeth.
That arrangement creates a strong bite that allows you to eat a variety of foods. Your teeth also play a critical role in your speech.
Losing one or more teeth allows the adjacent teeth to shift out of position. That changes the force of your bite, placing pressure on your remaining teeth and weakening the connection between teeth and bone, which can lead to additional tooth loss.
You might find it difficult to eat certain foods, and a limited diet is proven to cause or contribute to a variety of health problems. You might also find your speech patterns changing, and over time, that can lead to fewer interactions with others.
There are several types of dental bridges to choose from. Whitenhill Dental Corporation is proud to offer non-metal dental bridges at the practice, an option that creates more aesthetically pleasing bridges and avoids complications in those with metal allergies.
Most dental bridges are secured in place by one crown on each side of the bridge. There are other options that only require a single crown. Special bridges are used to replace missing front teeth.
Learn more about dental bridges during your face-to-face visit with the Whitenhill Dental Corporation team. Booking an appointment takes just moments online or over the phone, so don’t delay.