Placing A Bridge Can Help Improve Oral Health

Tooth loss doesn’t just cause problems for your smile’s appearance. Losing even a single tooth could mean serious trouble for your smile’s health as well! By placing a custom-made dental bridge, your Omaha, NE, dentist can improve oral health and give you a reason to smile with confidence once more!

The Health Issues Related to Tooth Loss

How does losing one or more of your natural teeth impact your overall health? Well, when we lose our teeth, we have difficulty eating anything other than soft food items, which could deprive our body of essential nutrients. Surrounding teeth may begin to drift from position, leading to poor alignment. Misalignment alone is linked to higher risks of tooth decay and gum disease, as brushing and flossing thoroughly becomes more difficult. Missing teeth also upset your bite’s balance and could place strain on the jaw joints, leading to a higher likelihood of TMJ disorder and bruxism, disorders linked to headaches and migraines, damaged teeth, and increased rates of decay and infection.

Creating a Custom Prosthetic

A bridge can often address between one and three missing teeth in a row. The prosthetic contains your new teeth, which we refer to as pontics, and crowns attached to each end. We remove structure from your natural teeth on either side of the gap, known as abutment teeth, and place the crowns on them, securing the new teeth firmly in place. The bridge will be created based on detailed impressions and measurements we take of your smile. We then craft them with lifelike and durable materials such a ceramic, which can absorb bite forces and be shaded to blend with your smile. With proper care and attention, your new teeth could last between 10 and 15 years!

Protecting Your New Bridge

To keep your new teeth strong, you should brush them along with the rest of your smile when you wake up and again before bed for about two minutes. You also need to floss before bed, including around your prosthetic, and clean the space between the top of your gum and the bottom of your bridge, where food particles could accumulate. If you have any questions about custom tooth loss solutions, or about avoiding the loss of your natural teeth, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy a full and beautiful smile!

Do You Have Questions About Replacing Missing Teeth?

We would like to help you enjoy a full and beautiful smile with a custom-made dental prosthetic. To learn more about our tooth replacement options, schedule a consultation by calling Pacific Hills Dental in Omaha, NE, today at (402) 330-2243. We also serve the residents of Papillion, Elkhorn, La Vista, Millard, and all surrounding communities.