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If you’ve recently lost a tooth, you may be considering the . Like most things in life, getting a dental bridge comes with its own pros and cons. That’s why we recommend that you schedule a consultation with our dentist in South Bend, IN.
During your appointment, Dr. Cochran can help you explore your tooth replacement options so you can feel informed and confident about your treatment plan.
In the meantime, here are some of the main .
Pro: Smile with Confidence Again
Do you ever cover your mouth when you laugh or smile with your lips closed? If so, please know that you’re not alone. From our experience working with clients, we know that it can be hard to feel confident when you’re missing one or more teeth.
The good news is that we can replace any missing teeth so you can start smiling with confidence in no time!
Pro: Eat Your Favorite Foods with Ease
Once you lose a tooth, it can be hard to eat the foods you once loved. However, once you replace a tooth with a dental bridge, you should be able to resume your previous diet. Get ready to trade that bowl of oatmeal for a delicious steak!
Pro: Hold Remaining Teeth in Place
Once you lose a tooth, the remaining teeth in your smile will start to drift toward the open space. That’s why it’s important to book a consultation with our South Bend dentist if you’re missing teeth. The sooner we intervene, the more likely we’ll be able to help you keep your remaining teeth in their original positions.
When teeth move, you may experience difficulties with eating, chewing, brushing, and flossing. The good news is that the dental bridge procedure can help promote good oral health and wellness.
Con: Dental Bridges Affect Adjacent Teeth
A dental bridge contains a prosthetic tooth that’s held in place by crowns on both sides. Depending on your circumstances, these crowns are placed on natural teeth that have been prepped for the procedure or dental implants.
If you have natural teeth on both sides of the empty socket, Dr. Cochran will need to file down and shape them so they’re ready to receive the crowns. Compared to dental implant surgery, the dental bridge procedure may be considered more invasive because it involves removing enamel from otherwise healthy teeth.
Once you remove enamel, you can never grow it back. It’s understandable if you have reservations about this, which is why we often recommend dental implants.
Con: Bridges Don’t Stop Bone Loss
A dental bridge only replaces the portion of your tooth above the gum line, also called the “crown.” It doesn’t do anything to replace the tooth root that used to exist in the jawbone.
Once the body detects this loss, it begins to absorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere. The only thing that stops this bone loss around the empty tooth socket is dental implant surgery.
Conclusion: Each Patient is Different
It’s important to remember that each patient is different. What’s right for one patient, may not be the best option for you. For this reason, we always recommend scheduling an appointment with Dr. Cochran. That way, you’ll be able to determine if you’re a better candidate for a tooth bridge, denture, or dental implant.
In the meantime, we encourage you to check out our blog post on the tooth replacement options we offer patients. This can help you get a better idea of how you want to proceed.
Learn More: Tooth Replacement Options to Restore Your Smile →
Schedule a Dental Bridge Consultation
Dr. Joseph Cochran is proud to serve as a dentist in South Bend, IN. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options, including the dental bridge procedure. To schedule an appointment, please call Select Dental Associates at (574) 232-8888. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
