Losing a tooth is like losing a part of yourself. Well, since your permanent teeth don’t grow back, you’re literally losing a part of yourself; but luckily, you don’t have to permanently suffer the loss. Recently, we discussed replacing missing teeth with a crown-supported dental bridge. As the name suggests, a dental bridge closes the gap left by lost teeth with the appropriate number of prosthetic teeth, called pontics, effectively restoring the function and beauty of your smile. In many cases, however, your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Coon, may recommend supporting your bridge with one or more dental implants for improved security and oral health preservation.
Resounding Effects of Tooth Loss
Even if you don’t mourn the loss of a tooth, its brethren will. Remaining teeth can drift towards the opening created in their ranks, which can lead to a host of complicated dental problems. The changing landscape can throw your bite off balance, causing excessive wear on certain teeth, and shifting teeth are at an increased risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay. Replacing a lost tooth as soon as possible can help prevent the chaos, and a dental bridge is designed to do exactly that.
What a dental bridge cannot address by itself, however, is the jawbone deterioration that follows the loss of your tooth’s root. When you bite and chew, the stimulation of these roots alerts your body that your jawbone requires nutrients to support them. The loss of these roots, especially with multiple tooth loss, can result in a nutrient deficiency that causes your jawbone to slowly deteriorate, eventually leading to further tooth loss as your jaw grows weaker and weaker.
A Sturdier Foundation
A dental implant is a root-shaped post that’s surgically inserted into your jawbone, which fuses to the implant’s biocompatible titanium surface. Once healed, the implant can restore the stimulation required for your jawbone to receive a proper diet of nutrients, helping prevent jawbone deterioration and improve your chances of future tooth retention. An implant can also serve as an anchor upon which Dr. Coon can place your dental prosthetic, eliminating the need to secure your bridge to remaining healthy teeth.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridges in Sheridan
To learn more about the effects of tooth loss and your options for treating it, including implant-supported dental bridges, schedule a consultation with your Sheridan by contacting Grinnell Street Dental at (307) 672-7567. Located in the 82801 are, we welcome patients from Sheridan, WY and all surrounding communities.
