It’s a fact of life that teeth sometimes go missing due to accident or disease. There are a number of teeth replacement options available, and at Davenport Dental Group in Laredo, TX, we offer them all.
Dental Bridges Are Both Attractive And Durable
A dental bridge is basically like any other bridge – it spans a “low spot.” In the case of dental bridges, the low spot is where one or more teeth are missing. There are several excellent reasons to replace missing teeth:
- Gaps in your smile are embarrassing.
- Missing teeth on one side lead to excessive chewing on the other; this can result in increased wear and tear of your tooth enamel and possibly to muscle imbalances.
- Having a full set of teeth allows you to chew your food more thoroughly which aids in digestion and getting all the nourishment from your food.
- A replacement tooth will keep neighboring teeth from shifting their positions.
- You’ll just look better, speak better, and feel better.
Dental bridges are a tried and true solution to the problem of missing teeth. Dental bridges have been used successfully for decades, and with today’s advanced materials they present a more lifelike appearance and last longer than ever.
How Dental Bridges “Fill The Gap”’
A dental bridge is basically composed of dental crowns, some hollow and at least one solid crown. The hollow crowns fit over and are cemented to teeth on either side of the gap. The solid crown is known as a pontic and fills the gap. A dental bridge can replace one or several missing teeth giving you the ability to eat comfortably and smile with confidence.
In order to fit crowns over the abutments, or neighboring teeth, those teeth will have to be reduced slightly in size. Otherwise, the teeth plus the crowns would be larger than your natural teeth. At Davenport Dental Group in Laredo, TX, Dr. Dave Davenport is careful leave as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
In the event that the neighboring teeth are damaged, hollow crowns can do double duty! Crowns actually strengthen and protect teeth in addition to allowing you to have a bridge placed.
A relatively new option in dental bridges is called an implant-supported bridge. Rather than anchoring the bridge to neighboring teeth, the bridge is firmly held in place by implants – small metal screws – inserted into the underlying bone.
Dental implants are generally somewhat more costly but with care they can last a lifetime.
Which Teeth Replacement Option Is RIght For You?
Everyone’s situation and needs are unique, so there’s no way to be sure which teeth replacement option will work best for you. Generally, each option can work for everyone. However, in some people the neighboring teeth are too damaged to accept crowns, while in other people the underlying bone is too thin to support dental implants.
The only way to be sure is to have a thorough examination by one of the outstanding dentists at Davenport Dental Group.
Get started by scheduling a consultation at either of our Laredo, TX offices. Call our Junction Drive office at 956-242-6745 or our Winfield office at 956-517-2695.