Dental Bridge for the Front Teeth
Tooth loss can cause plenty of problems. This is particularly true of a missing front tooth. Thankfully, the use of dental bridges can restore the appearance of a smile and allow patients to bite, chew, and speak normally again.
The team at Gooch Family Dental has helped numerous patients in the Birmingham, AL area by placing dental bridges. We want to consider what issues arise when a person is missing a front tooth and how a dental bridge can help.
Why a Missing Front Tooth Is a Problem
If you’re missing a front tooth or both of your front teeth, you’re bound to face a number cosmetic and dental health issues.
In terms of your dental health, biting and chewing can be challenging. You’ll need to chew on the other side of the mouth or modify your diet, perhaps in a significant way. You could be putting more stress on your other teeth, which leads to premature wear and tear.
When it comes to aesthetics, a missing front tooth is extremely noticeable. You may feel self-conscious about laughing, smiling, and speaking, even around people you’ve known for many years. Speech impediments may become an issue due to a missing front tooth. A missing front tooth can even impact your career if your job involves a lot of public interaction or face-to-face meetings with clients.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge consists of an artificial tooth that is bookended by dental crowns. The artificial tooth fits into the gap while the crowns cap the teeth adjacent to the tooth gap. In essence, a dental bridge will literally bridge the gap left behind by a missing tooth.
Thanks to a dental bridge, patients will be able to bite, chew, and smile with renewed ability and confidence.
Good Candidates for Dental Bridges
Ideal candidates for dental bridges are people who are missing a tooth. They should have healthy teeth adjacent to the tooth gap and be in good overall health otherwise. It’s important that dental bridge candidates understand the nature of treatment and all of the risks and benefits involved.
During the consultation at our Birmingham dental care center, we can go over all of these issues in much greater detail.
What to Expect from Treatment
During dental bridge treatment, a little bit of tooth structure is removed from the teeth adjacent to the tooth gap. This is so the crowns can fit snugly over these teeth. These crowns are what provide support to the artificial tooth.
There will be a little bit of tooth sensitivity following the placement of the bridge as you get accustomed to it. This should take about a week to two weeks, and patients can simply alter their diet a bit to reduce discomfort.
Will My Dental Bridge Be Tooth-Colored?
In most cases, we will strive to ensure the dental bridge for a front tooth is matched to the normal color of your surrounding teeth. This will help your smile look fully restored and natural, and help you experience reduced self-consciousness related to tooth loss.
That said, some patients may benefit from a metal bridge rather than one made from dental ceramics. This is something that can be discussed during the consultation process.
Proper Care of a Dental Bridge
Proper care of a dental bridge bridge is easy. Patients need only to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive gel toothpaste. Patients should also continue to go to regular dental checkups at our Birmingham center to monitor their dental health and replace the bridge if it’s severely worn down.
Learn More About Dental Bridges
To learn more about dental bridges and why they may be ideal after losing a front tooth, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist. The team at Gooch Family Dental can be reached by phone at (205) 545-8001.
