Dental Bridges
Platte City, MO

Tooth loss has many causes. One of the most common causes is gum, or periodontal, disease. You may also suffer tooth loss as a result of facial trauma, severe tooth decay, or conditions like bruxism. When you lose even just one tooth, your entire life is affected. Whether the tooth falls out on its own or you require a tooth extraction, replacing any missing teeth is essential. Platte Valley Dental Care can replace a missing tooth with a bridge.

What Happens When I Lose a Tooth?

Losing a tooth has several significant impacts on your life.

•	If you lose a tooth at the front of your mouth, your smile, and your confidence, are impacted.
•	Biting and chewing becomes more challenging. The inability to chew properly leads to poor digestion and poor nutrition.
•	Food can get lodged between your teeth, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
•	Additional pressures on the adjacent teeth can increase the risk for tooth damage.
•	Your speech suffers.
•	Your healthy teeth begin to shift out of alignment. This alters your bite and can increase the risk for bruxism and TMD.

Bridges for Tooth Loss

A bridge is a restoration that can be used to replace up to three consecutive missing teeth. It is commonly used to replace a single tooth. There are a few different types of bridges, with the most common one being a fixed bridge. This type of bridge, usually made from a single piece of ceramic or porcelain, consists of a replacement tooth, or pontic tooth, set between two crowns. The pontic tooth fills the empty space left behind by your missing tooth and the crowns anchor the bridge into place. The crowns are set on the teeth adjacent to the empty space, providing stability for your new restoration.

Placing Your Bridge

Placing a bridge generally takes two appointments to complete. The first appointment is reserved for preparing the mouth for the new restoration. First, the adjacent teeth, referred to as the abutment teeth, are trimmed. This process involves removing a portion of the enamel from each tooth, making them smaller, ensuring that your bridge will fit in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. Next, impressions of your mouth are taken. The impressions are sent to our dental lab, where they are used to custom create your bridge. It can take up to two weeks for a bridge to be completed and returned. During this time, a temporary restoration is placed to help protect your abutment teeth. Your second appointment occurs once your bridge is ready. We check the restoration for fit and to ensure a proper bite before cementing it into place.

Benefits of a Bridge for Tooth Loss

There are several benefits of using a bridge to replace your missing tooth:

•	You regain your beautiful smile, as well as your confidence.
•	You can bite and normally chew again. This helps to improve your digestion as well as your overall nutrition.
•	Your speech is restored.
•	Your oral health is improved.
•	Your healthy teeth are kept in proper alignment. The bridge helps to prevent shifting.

Even if your missing tooth is out of sight when you smile, it is still essential that it be replaced as soon as possible. For more information, and to find out if a bridge is right for you, call Platte Valley Dental Care today at (816)858-2027.