Losing a tooth can be an awful moment in your life. It leaves behind a number of lingering effects that can be detrimental to your oral health if left untreated. The gap left behind can negatively affect your smile’s appearance, leading to a loss of confidence. Along with that, your other teeth can wear down due to the uneven distribution of pressure from your bite. Thankfully your dentist can help you avoid these issues. Talk to your dentist about how bridges and dentures save your smile.
Your dentist can provide you with numerous dentistry options that can restore your oral health and provide you with a nice looking and properly functioning smile. Two of the options available to replace lost teeth are dental bridges and dentures.
A dental bridge is a treatment where the two teeth adjacent to your missing tooth are shaped into abutments, which will then have dental crowns bonded to them. Dental crowns are crafted by your dentist using materials such as zirconia or porcelain, which closely replicate a natural tooth’s appearance and function. These dental crowns will act as anchor points for the replacement tooth (referred to regularly as a pontic), which rests between the two dental crowns, bridging the gap left behind by your lost tooth.
If you are missing multiple teeth, your dentist might recommend dentures, especially if the lost teeth aren’t right next to each other. Partial dentures can be made to replace the missing teeth while fitting securely and comfortably around your remaining natural teeth.
A lost tooth does damage your self-esteem and your oral health. We can offer you a number of services to restore your oral health as well as your smile. Contact our local Austin, TX office at 512-250-9444.