Dental bridges, also known as fixed partial dentures, are a great option to address missing teeth while improving your smile and overall oral health. Not only will you be able to smile with confidence, you will be better able to chew your food or speak. When you think of dentures, you may think of those clunky removable ones that can slip or cause discomfort. However, today’s dental bridges can be fixed in place and will feel just like your natural teeth.
Anchored to adjacent healthy teeth or dental implants, bridges offer durability and stability for peace of mind. From maintaining proper alignment to restoring bite function, dental bridges in Berkeley CA bring many benefits. Here are the main benefits to consider.
9 Benefits of Bridges
Did you know that bridges offer far more benefits than just an improvement in your smile? They also play a big role in maintaining facial structure, preventing shifting teeth, and even enhancing speech clarity.
Bridges can:
1. Restore Your Smile’s Appearance
Bridges fall under the category of restorative dentistry. They are customized to match the shape and shade of your natural teeth as much as possible for a seamless appearance. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, you will likely also experience a boost in confidence as well.
2. Maintain Facial Structure
When you replace a missing tooth or teeth with a dental bridge, it helps to maintain your facial structure while supporting the natural contour of your face. Facial symmetry and balance are both very important to your facial appearance. Missing teeth can result in asymmetry that can detract from a youthful appearance.
3. Distribute Even Bite Force
Your jaw exudes high amounts of force when biting, but if your teeth cannot handle that force evenly, your bite will be affected. Missing teeth can shift that pressure onto surrounding teeth in an uneven manner, resulting in more cracks, chips, and wear and tear. A bridge is designed to evenly distribute bite force to the surrounding natural teeth. Not only does this avoid overload on any one tooth, it prevents potential damage to your jaw’s long-term alignment.
4. Improve Chewing Ability
Quality of life and overall health depend immensely on proper chewing ability, even though you may not realize it. When you can bite and chew effectively, your body can better absorb nutrients, which is essential to your daily diet. When you enjoy eating and chewing, you open yourself up to a bigger variety of culinary options.
5. Boost Speech Clarity
Clarity of speech is a result of all the various parts of your mouth working together. Gaps in your teeth can lead to unclear pronunciation and speech issues like lisps. A bridge can reinforce clear and natural speech.
6. Prevent Shifting
One of the biggest issues with leaving missing teeth unaddressed is that the surrounding teeth can start to shift over time. In the absence of resistance of another tooth on either side, your existing teeth can start to move out of place, leading to a lopsided smile. A bridge provides that resistance and can prevent the other teeth from moving. Not only does this prevent a crooked smile, it can prevent the need for orthodontic treatment later on.
7. Prevent Gum Disease
Issues such as plaque buildup and gum recession can occur around areas of missing teeth. When a bridge fills that gap, there are fewer places in which bacteria can hide, and can therefore improve your gum health.
8. Reduce Bone Loss Risk
Bone loss is a serious risk with missing teeth. Your jawbone is kept strong because the roots of your natural teeth provide pressure and stimulation. When that support system is missing, your jawbone deteriorates over time. Because bridges maintain pressure between the natural teeth, this can provide the support and stimulation your jawbone needs to operate effectively as you age.
9. Make Oral Hygiene Maintenance Easier
Dental bridges are easy to maintain and clean. You just have to be a bit more diligent in brushing and flossing but the maintenance process is basically the same. Depending on the kind you get, there’s nothing to remove and clean, or soak overnight. Just be sure to brush twice a day at least, and floss at least once. Stay on top of your twice-yearly dental appointments so your dentist can ensure the continued health and operation of your bridge.
Book a Bridge Consultation With Ashby Dental in Elmwood
Let our experienced team restore your smile with dental bridges. It all starts with a consultation, so book your appointment with Ashby Dental in Elmwood today at (510) 549-0133. There are many different types of bridges, from traditional and cantilever to bonded and implant-supported. Your dentist can go over the benefits and drawbacks of each.
