The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) reports that 69 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay. If your smile finds itself in that all too common scenario, dental bridges provide a viable option to address the different issues encountered with missing teeth.
Bridging the Problem
When a tooth is lost, it creates a noticeable void in your smile. A bridge is a custom-made device that fills in the unwanted empty space with an artificial, natural looking tooth. Bridges in our Columbus, Ohio, practice can also be utilized to effectively address the loss of more than one tooth.
These replacement teeth are securely anchored to the neighboring teeth, literally bridging the gap where one or more teeth had previously been. How do both your smile and oral health benefit from choosing the popular option of a metal-free dental bridge?
Revitalize Your Smile
1. Boosted self-esteem — Tooth loss can affect the physical appearance of your face, causing bunching of the skin, and making you look older than you actually are. Furthermore, a missing tooth can really put a damper on the beauty of your grin. Bridges can help restore your facial shape, add to a more youthful, healthy-looking appearance, and get the swagger back in your smile.
2. Maintaining oral health — Empty spaces created by tooth loss can lead to the shifting of your remaining teeth, resulting in crooked looking smiles and issues associated with jaw misalignment. Bridges effectively fill those voids and keep the neighboring teeth in their proper place.
3. Improved speech — Missing teeth can hinder the clarity of your speech, making it difficult to understand. Bridges restore your ability to converse freely and clearly, and with confidence.
4. Restored chewing ability — Tooth loss can limit your ability to chew a variety of different foods without experiencing discomfort or difficulty. It may even result in issues with digestion. Bridges restore unimpeded chewing ability on both sides of the mouth and permit you to enjoy your meals to the full.
Contact us today to see if a dental bridge is the best option for you in addressing tooth loss. Feel free to ask us about our other available solutions, including metal-free dentures, and the superior option of dental implants. We can help you restore confidence and the desire to willingly share your smile with others.
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of a smile that is missing a tooth? Share your thoughts below!