We understand the importance of a complete and confident smile. If you find yourself missing teeth, worry not–dental bridges are here to bridge the gap and bring back the radiance to your grin. Together, we can embark on a journey to explore the wonders of dental bridges to transform your smile. At Derby Dental, we want to help our Austin patients rediscover the joy of a complete smile. A tooth bridge is a restorative dentistry treatment we provide to patients in Austin, Texas.
Understanding the Challenge of Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can be more than just a cosmetic concern. It can affect your ability to chew and speak. It can even impact the alignment of your remaining teeth. Also, the gaps left by missing teeth can lead to issues. For example, you can experience shifting teeth, bite problems, and potentially jaw joint pain. However, it is not just about the way your smile looks. It is about maintaining a functional and healthy mouth.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are custom-made prosthetic devices. They help replace missing teeth. Aptly named, they act as a bridge to span the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Bridges anchor to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.
Traditional Bridges: The most common type, these bridges consist of pontics (artificial teeth) held in place by dental crowns on adjacent natural teeth.
Cantilever Bridges: In cases where only one adjacent tooth is available for support, we can use a cantilever bridge to anchor the pontic.
Maryland Bridges: Also known as resin-bonded bridges, these use a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the backs of adjacent teeth. this eliminates the need for crowns.
Implant-Supported Bridges: For a more stable and durable solution, dental implants can support for the bridge. This provides a strong foundation.
The Benefits of Choosing Dental Bridges
When you choose dental bridges, you can achieve much more that a complete smile.
Restored Function: Dental bridges bring back your ability to chew and speak properly. This helps restore the function lost by missing teeth.
Preserve Oral Health: When we fill the gaps, bridges help prevent your teeth from shifting. They also help maintain the natural alignment of your bite. As a result this should help prevent further dental issues.
Improved Looks: Beyond function, dental bridges enhance the look of your smile. This should help boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Prevent Jaw Joint Issues: Choosing dental bridges can help prevent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems that can arise from a misaligned bite.