Bridges Are Good for Replacing Extracted Teeth
Posted on 8/16/2021 by Dr. Hallas |
 Along with dental implants, crowns, and dentures, dental bridges are another way to restore one or more missing teeth. If you had to have a tooth pulled due to severe decay, gum disease, or an injury, a bridge is often a great option for replacing your extracted tooth. Read on to learn more about dental bridges.
What is a Bridge?
A bridge consists of one or more pontics, or artificial teeth, connected to a crown on each side. The pontic sits in the spot where you are missing a tooth, and the crowns go over the healthy teeth, also known as “abutment teeth,” on either side of the gap. The crowns and pontic are both made from durable porcelain, and they can be cared for just like your natural teeth. The bridge is cemented into place and can be combined with a dental implant as well for extra support.
Why is a Bridge Good for Replacing an Extracted Tooth?
If you only had to have a single tooth extracted and the rest of your teeth are healthy, a bridge is an excellent option for you. As stated above, a bridge needs to attach to the healthy abutment teeth on either side of the gap where your tooth was extracted. A bridge can restore your smile no matter what the reason was for your extraction; if you have gum disease, an implant-supported bridge would be especially beneficial to prevent bone loss in your jaw. There is no reason to get dentures if you are only missing a single tooth, but if you have had multiple teeth extracted or have lost multiple teeth due to disease or decay, dentures might be a better choice for you.
It is important to have your tooth replaced after an extraction for a number of reasons. For one, plaque and bacteria will build up in the gap, leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and infection. Additionally, your remaining teeth will gradually shift position, which throws your bite out of alignment, affects your speech, creates further gaps in your smile, causes your teeth to wear down unevenly, and contributes to jawbone deterioration over time. If you had a tooth extracted and want to have a bridge placed, contact us today.
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