Dentures and dental bridges are both common tools to help you replace missing teeth. Filling in the gaps in your mouth after an extraction is important for aesthetic reasons, but it also benefits your overall health. Missing teeth can cause your jawbone to lose density which can have more drastic effects over time. Moreover, not having a full set of teeth can affect your chewing, leading to a decrease in the nutrients you receive from food. Regardless of your primary concern of missing teeth, you should act quickly. A dental bridge or dentures can get the job done in most situations. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist talks about the differences between these two solutions and what situations warrant each one.
What Is A Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic that is most often utilized if you are missing a single tooth or you have several missing adjacent to one another. As the name suggests, the prosthetic bridges the gap between your existing teeth and the space. It is made from high-quality, biocompatible porcelain that is designed to closely mimic natural teeth. For discretion, the porcelain is color-matched to the rest of your smile, so it fits in seamlessly amongst your other teeth. When you come in for a bridge, your dentist will outfit the existing teeth on each side of the gap (known as abutments) with crowns to better support the prosthetic and ensure it stays in place. This is a permanent solution to missing teeth, so you can enjoy a complete smile for a long time.
What Are Dentures?
Instead of replacing a single tooth as a dental bridge does, dentures can replace an entire row of teeth. Moreover, they can fit around your existing teeth if you are suffering from more complex tooth loss. There are several types of dentures; more traditional ones can be removed at your convenience. For a permanent option, you can opt for implant-retained dentures. With these, your dentist will place implants into your gumline and then affix dentures to them. When you go this route, the implants will help stimulate your jawbone, keeping it healthy and dense.
Whether you would prefer implant-retained dentures or removable ones, we take great care to be sure they match the rest of your natural teeth and gum colors. We know you want them to blend into your mouth seamlessly, and we can accomplish this for you. When you visit us for a consultation, we will suggest the best option for your unique smile and needs.
Contact Us To Learn More About Dental Bridges And Dentures
If you have any questions about either of these restorative procedures or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today at Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500.
