Typically, a dental bridge is held in place with dental crowns, which are attached to the natural teeth. But what if we could offer our Olathe, KS, patients a more secure and longer-lasting alternative? In today’s blog, we’re going to talk about the benefits of a dental bridge held in place with dental implants, and why addressing tooth loss is so important for your oral health.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A bridge is a prosthetic we prescribe to address between one and three missing teeth in a row. The prosthetic will contain the new teeth, referred to as pontics, with crowns attached to either end of the bridge. We begin the process by removing tooth structure from the teeth on each side of the gap in the smile. Our team then take impressions, which we use to design the bridge. We create the prosthetic using lifelike materials and place the crowns onto the prepared teeth, which anchors the new ones in place. With regular care, you can expect them to last between 10 and 15 years before requiring replacement.
Securing Them With Dental Implants
A dental implant is placed into the jawbone via oral surgery. The implant itself is made from titanium, a biocompatible material, and bonds with the jawbone like a natural tooth root. For a single missing tooth, we can place a single dental implant, However, if you have two or more missing teeth, we may use dental implants to secure a bridge, anchoring the pontics in place without requiring surrounding teeth to lose tooth structure. Since they stimulate the growth of jawbone tissue, they can last much longer than traditional prosthetics, decades in some cases.
Preserving Your New Teeth
Routine care helps keep your implant prosthetic strong and bright. You should brush and floss around them as you do natural teeth, and also clean the space between the top of the gums and the bottom of the prosthetic, where food particles could accumulate. A checkup and cleaning every six months enables our team to monitor your new teeth, and remove plaque buildup to safeguard your smile against gum disease and other threats. If you have any questions about addressing your missing teeth, or about our dental implant options, then please contact our team today. We want to help you obtain a whole and beautiful smile!
Does Your Smile Have Missing Teeth?
If you suffer from minor tooth loss, then talk to us about an implant-secured bridge. For more information on our strong and lifelike tooth replacement options, then schedule a consultation by calling E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Gardener, and all surrounding communities.