When you find yourself with a single missing tooth, or up to three in a row, then you may need a prosthetic to avoid complications and return your smile to full function and beauty. In order to help you obtain a whole smile once more, your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist may provide a custom-made dental bridge, one that looks completely natural!
The Dangers of Tooth Loss
When we lose natural teeth, this leaves a gap in our smile. The gap not only impacts our smile beauty, but can cause surrounding teeth to drift from position. As misalignment develops, so does the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as thorough brushing and flossing becomes difficult. In addition, poor alignment and tooth loss could place pressure on the jaw joints, boosting the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism, and increasing the likelihood of damage to remaining teeth. The missing tooth roots will also cause the body to suspend the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the jawbone, meaning the bone structure breaks down over time and increases the risk of further tooth loss, and leads to the risk of an aged appearance as well.
Creating a Bridge
To create a bridge between the gap in your smile, we will first need to remove structure from the teeth on either side of the gulf. We then take a series of detailed impressions, images, and measurements. We use the information we gather to design the prosthetic. The bridge will consist of your new teeth, known as pontics, with crowns attached to each end. We place the crowns on the prepared teeth to secure the pontics firmly. The prosthetic will be crafted using lifelike materials, such as ceramic, ensuring your new teeth can withstand powerful bite forces and also look natural. We use them to address between one and three lost teeth in a row.
Securing Them with Dental Implants
To prevent the loss of structure from surrounding teeth and offer a prosthetic that lasts decades instead of just 10 to 15 years, we may support then prosthetic with dental implants instead of crowns. After we insert the implants into the jawbone and we let the placement area heal, which takes three to four months, we will attach the prosthetic to the implants. The new teeth will enjoy greater security, a lifelike appearance, and a long-lasting solution to tooth loss, one that stimulates jawbone tissue to prevent loss of mass and density!
Do You Need a Dental Prosthetic?
If you have minor tooth loss, we can help with a lifelike dental restoration. For more information on our bridges and dentures, please schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA today at 818-347-5124. We also proudly welcome patients from Encino, Sherman Oaks, and all surrounding communities.