A dental bridge doesn’t just have to be fixed in place with dental crowns. Instead, we could secure them with dental implants. As a result, you could enjoy a stronger smile as the prosthetic could last for decades to come! In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentists discuss the benefits of implant bridges.
Replacing Your Missing Teeth Helps Your Smile
When you have gaps in your smile, this could mean complications for everything from eating to speaking. Tooth loss could make clear speech difficult, and limit what foods you can enjoy. The surrounding teeth could begin to drift from position, the resulting misalignment altering smile beauty and also causing an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. For others, tooth loss upsets bite balance, leading to an increased risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). When you lose a tooth, let us know right away so we can move forward with a lifelike prosthetic!
Implants Act as New Roots
Typically, bridges are secured with crowns attached to the abutment teeth, or the natural ones sitting on either side of the gap in your smile. However, this mean that the jaw ridge could still change shape. These changes occur when the body registers the loss of tooth roots, suspending the flow of key nutrients to the jaw, causing the bone tissue to break down. They then need to be replaced, and the risk of further tooth loss is also present.
However! If we instead insert dental implants into the jawbone, which are made from biocompatible titanium, the body sees them as actual roots. The flow of nutrients resumes, and your jaw ridge is preserved. We attach the bridge’s crowns to the implants instead of abutment teeth, preserving natural structure. Your bridge could then last for decades to come instead of just 10 years on average.
Your New Teeth Will Look Natural
We start by taking detailed digital, images of your smile. We use this information to plan and guide the placement of the dental implant posts, and to also design and craft the bridge in a dental lab setting. They contain new teeth with crowns attached to each end. The result is a prosthetic that looks and functions like natural teeth, crafted from lifelike and durable materials. When attached to the posts, you have a stable, secure means of replacing missing teeth, one that could last years to come.
Do You Have Questions About Our Prosthetic Options?
We want to help you enjoy a prosthetic that looks natural and lasts for decades to come. For more information on how we replace your missing teeth with a secure and lifelike prosthetic, or to schedule a dental consultation, call E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.