Dental Bridges Uses

When you are missing multiple teeth, you will face a number of different dental health problems as well as aesthetic problems. For one, you may notice that your smile just doesn’t look as good as it used to when you’re missing teeth. In addition to that, you may find yourself feeling self-conscious about your appearance, even around people that you have known for years. On the dental health side, there are issues of bone loss in the jaw, gum recession, and your remaining teeth becoming misaligned.

What Treatment Will Be Best?

When you speak with Brentwood, TN cosmetic dentist Dr. Lis Bradley or Dr. Lauren Wilburn, they will be able to determine the best possible treatment for you and your needs. In some cases, the best treatment for missing teeth may be dental bridges. Dental bridges are quite good if you are missing several teeth as they will literally bridge the gap between your teeth. We’d like to take a brief moment right now to look at the basics of dental bridges and then suggest a few alternatives that you may wish to consider.

About Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a partial dental restoration intended to span the gap between teeth when you are missing multiple teeth. The dental bridge is held in place by locking around the structure of your adjacent remaining teeth. The bridges themselves will be crafted in a dental lab and will be made in such a way that they seem absolutely natural, blending in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

Dentures or Dental Bridges?

There are some cases in which you may better be served by dentures rather than dental bridges. Dentures are more substantial dental restorations that are used when a patient is missing multiple teeth and does not have sufficient remaining teeth to support a dental bridge. The dentures are held in place by attaching to the gums and using your gumline and jawbone structure for stability. Denture creams can be used to help increase the firmness of the hold.

Dental Implants for Added Support

Of course, whether you get dental bridges or dentures, it’s important that you consider also getting Nashville dental implants to help support those dental restorations. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into your jawbone and soft tissues. After a period of healing during which time the dental implants integrate with the structure of your mouth, the implants will provide exceptional hold. Dental bridges can be used to support dental bridges and dentures, and they can also be used to support an individual dental crown if you are missing a single tooth.

Dental implants offer a number of advantages over removable dental restorations. When you have an implant-supported dental bridge or denture in place, it is less likely to slip out of place or fall out when chewing. This increased stability means greater bite strength and better restoration of the health of your teeth. In addition, the dental implants prevent issues with bone loss, gum recession, and tooth misalignment that is associated with tooth loss.

Learn More About Dental Care Treatment

If you would like more information about dental bridges, dentures, dental implants, and other options for exceptional dental care, contact our Brentwood, TN cosmetic dentistry practice today.