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Teeth are meant to last forever, but that’s not a reality for many people. 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. A dental bridge in Wheaton is an effective, convenient method of treating consecutive tooth loss. It is carefully crafted from high-quality material to look and feel natural. You can have a confident and attractive smile again using a solution that’s been trusted for decades.
A bridge is a restoration used to recreate 1-4 missing teeth in a row. Your dentist uses an impression of your mouth to design your bridge to blend in with your real teeth. Unlike a partial, a bridge is held in place using either crowns or implants, so it isn't removable. Your restoration will be durable to withstand the pressure of chewing to serve as a long-term solution to improve your quality of life. Filling the gaps will also preserve your remaining teeth to avoid additional tooth loss.
Each bridge is custom-made because every mouth and situation is unique. Your dentist in Wheaton will examine your mouth and learn more about your preferences to determine which type of bridge is right for you.
A traditional bridge recreates the surfaces of your teeth above the gum line. It's often recommended for patients with 1-2 missing teeth in a row. Although it can be used to replace up to 4, longer restorations may not be as stable. The bridge is held in place by reshaping the adjacent teeth to fit dental crowns over them. On average, a bridge and crowns will last for 5 to 15 years with the right maintenance, like brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly.
As an alternative to dental crowns, implants can be used to stabilize a bridge. A dental implant replicates the entire tooth from the root up using a post, an abutment, and a crown. When treating several lost teeth, each tooth isn’t replaced individually. Instead, dental implants are used to anchor a prosthetic to the jawbone. 1-2 posts can be used to support a bridge to provide the next best thing to your real teeth. The posts serve as new tooth roots to keep your jawbone strong to ensure any remaining natural teeth stay in place. Not to mention, you won’t have to worry about permanently altering healthy teeth. With over a 95% success rate, your dental implants can last for 30 years or longer, so you’ll never have to budget for replacements.
Tooth loss is more than just an aesthetic issue. A dental bridge provides various benefits, including:
If you are ready to replace your lost teeth, contact our office today to request your consultation. We’ll rebuild your smile using the latest solutions in dentistry.