Missing teeth can be annoying, embarrassing, and even detrimental to your dental health. There are a number of options that can help to replace your teeth, boost your confidence, and make you proud of your smile again. One of these options is dental bridges. Dental bridges are often used for patients who do not have enough jaw bone base to support a dental implant or crown.
What are dental bridges?
As the name suggests, dental bridges are prosthetic devices that are used to bridge the gap between teeth. If a patient has one or more missing teeth, a bridge can help to restore a smile to one that is more even and natural-looking.
While crowns can be fit over an existing natural tooth, they cannot necessarily fill that gap that a missing tooth has left behind without the need for an anchor like an implant.
Who is a good candidate for dental bridges?
If you have missing teeth with healthy teeth around them, you may be a good candidate for a dental bridge. Dental bridges need to be affixed to healthy teeth, so it’s important that you do have those stabilized nearby.
Good general and dental health, without any other major dental concerns, will make a patient a good candidate. Any other major dental concerns will need to be addressed prior to being fitted with a dental bridge. Keep in mind that delaying procedures to help with gaps in your smile can lead to shifting teeth, gum recession, and damage to otherwise previously healthy teeth.
How long do dental bridges last?
One of the most important things to consider with any sort of dental procedure or prosthetic is that good oral hygiene and routine checkups need to be maintained. Fixed bridges can last as long as 10 years with good care.
Those routine checkups with your dentist will not only help to keep your teeth and gums healthy but will also help to check on the condition of your dental prosthetic. Any issues can be quickly addressed before they escalate into a need to replace an entire bridge.
Dental bridges don’t require any specialized care once they are in place. Patients can brush and floss around them, without worry. Good oral hygiene will go a long way toward maintaining a healthy mouth and a happy confident smile.
