Dental Bridge
Owasso, OK
Tooth loss is a serious issue that can happen as a result of one of several different causes. A tooth can be knocked out as a result of facial trauma, such as a fall or a sports injury. You can lose a tooth to gum disease. Sometimes, severely damaged or decayed teeth need to be extracted. Whether the tooth comes out on its own or it is taken out, the results are all the same. At Jillian Prather Family Dentistry, we can help to restore a missing tooth with a dental bridge.
What Happens When a Tooth is Lost or Extracted?Losing a tooth has several serious effects on your whole life. | • |
Eating becomes more challenging. With the inability to chew properly, your digestion and overall nutrition suffer.
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You may develop a lisp.
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A tooth lost at the front of your mouth can affect the quality of your smile, and cause your confidence to plummet.
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You are at a greater risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
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Biting pressures become unevenly distributed, increasing your risk for tooth damage.
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Your jawbone starts to weaken due to a lack of stimulation, which leads the adjacent teeth to shift out of alignment, altering your bite. This can lead to issues such as bruxism and TMD. |
Bridges for Tooth LossIf you are missing a single tooth or up to three teeth in a row, a dental bridge may be recommended. There are a few different types of bridges, including a cantilever, a maryland or resin bonded, and a fixed. Fixed bridges are the most common. This type of bridge consists of the replacement tooth, or pontic tooth, which fills the space left behind by your missing tooth, restoring its functions and your smile. The pontic tooth is surrounded on each side by a crown, which is used to anchor the restoration into place over the adjacent teeth, referred to as abutment teeth. These teeth support the bridge and hold your new tooth securely in place.
How is a Bridge Placed?Placing a fixed bridge is fairly similar to placing dental crowns. First, we need to prepare the abutment teeth. This process involves removing a portion of the enamel from each tooth, reducing them in size to ensure that your restoration fits naturally and comfortably in with the rest of your teeth. After the teeth have been prepared, we then take an impression of your mouth and send the impression to our dental lab. There, the bridge is custom designed and created. Once it is ready, a second appointment is required to check the bridge for fit and to secure it into place.
Benefits of Getting a BridgeA bridge provides several benefits, including
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Allowing you to eat normally again.
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Improving your digestion and nutrition.
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Restoring your normal speech.
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Improving your oral health.
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Evening out bite pressure to reduce the risk of tooth damage.
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Giving you back your beautiful smile, and your confidence. |
If you have lost a tooth or up to three consecutive teeth, a bridge can help to restore the functions of that tooth and your smile, greatly improving your quality of life. For more information, and to schedule your appointment, call Jillian Prather Family Dentistry at (918) 401-9933 today.
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