If you have decided to replace one or more extracted teeth, you may be considering a dental bridge. A dental bridge is a prosthetic appliance that is secured in the mouth of the patient. The bridge includes one or more false teeth in the center of the bridge with a dental crown on each side of the appliance.

The false tooth or teeth replace the natural tooth or teeth that have been extracted, and the dental crowns fit over the teeth that border the gap left after the extractions. The dental crowns are secured to those teeth to ensure that the dental bridge remains stable in the mouth. In fact, the dental bridge becomes a permanent appliance in the patient's mouth once the crowns have been bonded to the underlying teeth. Here are a few benefits of having a dental bridge:

Appearance

Gaps left by missing teeth can certainly cause one's appearance to suffer. However, a dental bridge can restore the look of the patient's smile.

The crowns and false tooth or teeth of a dental bridge are matched to the color of the patient's other teeth. In addition, a mold of the patient's mouth is used during the fabrication of the bridge to serve as a guide. This ensures that the dental bridge and the contours of the crowns and false tooth or teeth match the patient's mouth precisely.

Chewing Ability

If a bridge is used to replace multiple lost teeth, it may improve the patient's ability to masticate his or her food. When multiple teeth are missing, it can be difficult to eat healthy foods that have a hard or coarse texture. Thus, the patient's diet can suffer, and he or she may not receive the nutrients that are needed for optimal health.

A dental bridge restores the chewing ability of the patient. In addition, unlike other dental appliances, such as traditional dentures, which may move about when the patient chews or speaks, a dental bridge remains firmly in place.

Less Dental Shifting

When a tooth is lost, the remaining gap in the mouth allows other teeth to migrate from their proper position. This can result in dental misalignment. However, when a dental bridge is installed, there is no gap remaining to allow extra space for dental movement. Thus, it is often best to have the dental bridge installed as soon after an extraction as possible

If you are interested in having a dental bridge installed, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your area.

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