Once considered the standard of care before implants were available bridges continue to be very good options to replace missing teeth. Bridges use the teeth on either side of your missing tooth to provide support for the artificial tooth that fills the space where your natural tooth is missing. The goal of the bridge is to restore chewing function and achieve an acceptable esthetic outcome.
Bridges are not removable and will restore your original bite. Additionally, a bridge will stabilize the remaining teeth and help prevent future problems that can lead to further tooth loss.
Keep in mind that the bone under the replacement tooth is no longer stimulated by chewing and over time resorbs. This creates a slowly growing gap between the replacement tooth and the gums.
Key Attributes:
- Slightly less expensive
- Restores chewing function
- Acceptable esthetics
- Shorter treatment time
Considerations:
- Requires grinding down of healthy adjacent teeth
- Potential for increased risk to prepared teeth.
- Bone resorption causes a gap between your tooth and gum over time.
- Limited life span