4 Benefits of a Dental Bridge

In today’s world where people constantly share videos on social media, it’s easy to believe that everyone has a bright white smile. But reality is different.

At least 120 million Americans are missing a tooth. If you’re in that number, you’re painfully aware of the impact on your appearance and how a lost tooth affects the way you interact with others. Beyond your appearance, it only takes one missing tooth to affect your dental health.

A dental bridge is a natural-looking and long-lasting solution for missing teeth. Our caring team at Fremaux Dental can give you a bridge in two office visits; and with proper care, your restoration may last up to 15 years or longer before it suffers enough wear and tear to need a replacement.*

Dental bridge basics

Dental bridges are well-named. Like a bridge over a river, they span the gap, provide structure, and they’re anchored on both sides.

In a dental bridge, two crowns anchor the prosthetic to the remaining teeth on both sides of the gap. Then natural-looking artificial teeth are securely connected to each anchoring crown.

Though bridges often replace one tooth, they can also be used for several missing teeth — if they’re all next to one another.

Four benefits of a dental bridge

We could list more than four possible benefits, but the most essential include:

1. Restoring your beautiful smile

As general and cosmetic dentists, we specialize in protecting your dental health while also enhancing your appearance. Our dental bridges always restore a beautiful smile.

Your bridge is supported by a metal base, but the visible part matches the color and shape of your existing teeth. In most cases, the visible part is made from porcelain, a material that has the same luster as your natural enamel.

2. Preventing tooth misalignment

When you lose a tooth, you also lose part of the structure that keeps your teeth in the best position. Your adjacent teeth gradually move toward the open space. As their position changes, your teeth become misaligned and don’t meet properly when you bite down.

You may not feel the difference, but your teeth will. Misalignment forces some teeth to take on more pressure when you bite and chew than they can tolerate. As a result, your teeth wear down, break, and crack.

3. Protecting your dental health

Gaps in your mouth create more places for food to hide. These gaps are also hard to clean. Even with diligent dental hygiene, your toothbrush may not reach into the gaps. Lingering food particles lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

One or more missing teeth also affects the health of your jaw. Your jawbone stays strong and healthy by continuously creating new bone (while eliminating old or damaged bone). This new bone growth is stimulated by your tooth roots.

Missing just one tooth root leads to bone loss that weakens your jawbone. Without treatment, a weak jawbone leads to additional tooth loss and affects the shape of your face.

4. Preventing nutrient deficiencies

You won’t be surprised to learn that losing one or more teeth impairs your ability to bite and chew. But you may not stop to think about the effect that might have on your nutritional well-being.

When basic functions like biting or chewing are a challenge, you’re likely to stop eating healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and proteins like chicken and beef.

Nutritional deficiencies cause a vast array of health problems. In addition to draining your energy, the loss of nutrients may cause problems ranging from bone loss, weak muscles, and skin rashes to anemia, damaged nerves, and heart disease.

If you’re missing a tooth, don’t wait to meet with the team at Fremaux Dental. They’re available to explain the process of getting a dental bridge and help you with financial arrangements or filing insurance. To learn more, call the office or book online today.

*Individual results may vary. The life of a dental bridge ranges from 5-15 years or more, depending on your oral hygiene and whether the bridge is damaged by an injury. For example, biting into hard foods or chewy sweets may loosen or break the bridge.