BENEFITS AND RISKS OF DENTAL BRIDGES
There are many different treatments available for badly damaged or decayed teeth, but unfortunately sometimes a tooth can be so far gone that it is beyond repair, leaving an unsightly gap in your smile. Gaps between your teeth can seriously knock your confidence and self-esteem, and depending on the location of the gap, it can even have a negative impact on the functionality of your other teeth and the overall use of your mouth. This is due to the fact that after time, your remaining teeth can take advantage of the space to shift around slightly, causing misalignment and a range of other associated dental problems.
Dental bridges work to fill this gap where the missing tooth would have been. They do this using a false tooth, which looks and feels just like the real thing. The false tooth also holds the remaining teeth either side in place so that they don’t shift into the space.
However, before you rush into Dr. Ajmo’s office to ask for a dental bridge, there are some considerations that you need to make. Let’s take a look at the benefits and risks of dental bridges.
Benefits Of Dental Bridges
There are a variety of benefits to having a dental bridge fitted. Your dentist will probably recommend a dental bridge in order to:
- Prevent your remaining teeth from shifting position and causing misalignment and related problems.
- Help you bite and/or chew properly
- Correct your bite
- Properly align your jaw
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Give you a great smile that boosts your confidence and self-esteem
Bill had lost many teeth over a number of years and had gradually lost his bite, allowing his lower jaw to collapse forward and up. His wife encouraged him to finally seek help for his dental problems. Dr. Ajmo performed complete dental reconstruction with fixed porcelain bridgework. Now Bill can eat and speak like he used to and his smile looks great.
Risks Of Dental Bridges
There are very few risks associated with being fitted with a dental bridge. Like any procedure that involves your gum, there is a slight risk of inflammation or gum infection, but these are very rare. In very occasional cases, a patient may have a reaction to 1 or more of the materials used to create the bridge, but your dentist will consult with you beforehand about any allergies that you may have.
It is worth noting here that a bridge can only be used if you have 2 natural healthy teeth in place either side of the gap. This is because the bridge needs to be anchored to them to be secure and stay in place. If you don’t have these teeth then you may not be able to have a dental bridge fitted and your dentist may recommend a different course of treatment.
IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE TO A DENTAL BRIDGE?
If a bridge is not suitable, then Dr. Ajmo may recommend dental implants instead. However, you should consult with Dr. Ajmo who will be best placed to make a recommendation based upon your personal dental needs.
