Missing teeth can be embarrassing, especially when they are noticeable when you smile. Trauma, gum disease and many other factors can lead to missing teeth that can change the way your smile looks and functions. One cosmetic dental treatment for closing those gaps in your smile is a dental bridge. At Thousand Oaks Dental, we create beautiful dental bridges to fill in those missing teeth and give you back a complete, healthy-looking smile.
Missing teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue. Once one tooth is gone, the rest of your teeth can begin to shift. This can cause crooked teeth and lead to oral hygiene issues as it becomes harder to keep your teeth and gums healthy. It can also be more difficult to eat the foods you love. Dental bridges are one option to help give your mouth structure after you lose a tooth or teeth, plus give you back the function of a complete smile.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A fixed dental bridge connects to the teeth surrounding the missing teeth with artificial dental crowns used to fill the gaps. To adhere the bridge, crowns are placed on the two abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Then the pontics, or dental crowns, are attached to the abutment crowns, creating a natural-looking set of teeth. Dental bridges stay in place and are a permanent solution to missing teeth, making them more desirable for most people than a partial denture that can move or slip.
If you have one or more missing teeth, receiving a dental bridge may be an option to give you back a complete smile. To learn more about dental bridges and our other restorative dentistry options, contact our office in San Antonio to schedule an exam. You can have a complete, beautiful smile again.