When you lose a tooth, this single gap could mean problems for your smile in the coming months and years. To avoid complications and restore smile beauty, you may need a prosthetic. In today’s blog, your Newhall, CA, dentist looks at how we address minor tooth loss with a custom-made and natural-looking dental bridge.

The Causes of a Missing Tooth

Several factors could be responsible for the loss of one or more of your natural teeth. For example, if you have a cavity that isn’t treated, the resulting infection could lead to a missing tooth, or one that needs to be extracted to prevent the rest of your smile from spreading infection. An injury or accident could be responsible, as could complications of untreated bruxism. However, the most common cause is periodontitis, the advanced state of periodontal disease. Unless treated, gum disease, could eventually destroy the tissues that connect your teeth and gums. The teeth loosen and fall out, and this will continue unless the issues is managed with routine care.

Placing Your Dental Bridge

If you lost one tooth, or up to three in a row, then we could design and craft a dental bridge. We begin by removing structure from the teeth on either side of the gap, which we refer to as abutment teeth. We then take detailed impressions and measurements with digital technology. In a lab setting, we will use the information to design the prosthetic. A bridge consists of new teeth made from ceramic with crowns attached to each end. We design them to look natural and blend with your smile. The crown portions will be attached to the abutment teeth, securing your new ones firmly in place. Your bridge will last about 10 to 15 years on average.

Can Dental Implants Help?

We could also secure them with dental implants! With this option, we don’t remove structure from abutment teeth, as we instead insert free standing dental implant posts. Next, we attach the crowns to the post, which secures the new teeth firmly. Since dental implants stimulate the growth of jawbone tissue, this prevents the gradual breakdown that follows tooth loss. Your new teeth can then last for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime. If you have any questions about treating your tooth loss, or if you would like formation on avoiding tooth loss altogether, then contact our team today to learn more.

Talk To Your Newhall, CA Dentist About Prosthetic Dentistry

Don’t let tooth loss cause serious trouble for your overall oral health and smile beauty. If you would like to find out more about our lifelike dental prosthetics or about how you can preserve your smile, contact your Newhall, CA, dentist, Dr. Tajik, by calling (661) 259-7760.