When you’re missing one or more teeth, feeling great about your smile is a challenge. There are a number of treatment options, including dental bridges.
Cheng H. Tai, DDS, is happy to share some of the reasons dental bridges, also called bridgework, are such a popular choice among residents of the Midtown Manhattan, New York, area.
Here are three of the primary benefits of dental bridgework.
If you’ve been living with missing teeth for some time, you know how difficult it can be to smile freely without thinking about the gap(s) in your grin. Dental bridges can help by replacing missing teeth with one or more artificial teeth.
These teeth are secured in place with a crown on your natural teeth on each side. This creates a secure attachment that will look and function much like the rest of your teeth.
Some people get a bridge to close a gap that’s been there for years. Others plan for a bridge when they need to have one or more teeth extracted.
Bridgework can restore your confidence, making it easier to feel comfortable in work or social settings. But the benefits go far beyond your appearance.
Getting a dental bridge usually requires two or more visits. Some people need to have teeth extracted before moving forward with a bridge.
Your smile is made of two arches of individual teeth, each anchored in the underlying bone and supported by your gum tissue. Every tooth helps keep the others in line.
When you lose a tooth, you lose some of the structural support that keeps your teeth aligned. The adjacent teeth can begin to shift out of position. This can lead to serious misalignment issues. This isn’t just an aesthetic concern; it also changes the way your upper and lower teeth fit together when you bite down, placing undue pressure on your teeth.
Bridgework gets its name because it “bridges” the gap in your smile. Filling in those spaces gives your entire upper or lower arch the support it needs to remain stable.
Many people with missing teeth limit their diet to avoid foods that are hard or fibrous. Unfortunately, this includes many options that are also highly nutritious.
Getting a dental bridge restores your ability to bite and chew normally. You can enjoy the full spectrum of healthy foods, including nuts, seeds, fibrous vegetables, and lean proteins.
Few things are more essential to your overall health than the foods and beverages you consume each day. A new bridge allows you to shape your diet around your health and preferences, not your dental limitations.
You have options when it comes to replacing one or more missing teeth. If you’re still not convinced that a dental bridge is right for you, the best way to get clarity is to come in for a face-to-face consultation with Dr. Tai.
You can schedule a visit by calling our Midtown Manhattan office at 845-640-3806. Online booking is also available, making it easy to connect with us.
