Dental bridges are an excellent way to replace a single lost tooth or a few lost teeth with a permanent, non removable implant.
Unlike dentures, dental bridges are completely fixed in place. They do not need removal for cleaning. Instead, clean them as you would your regular teeth.
Dental bridges in Houston look completely natural, even to the point of color matching them to your teeth. Patients seek these dental bridges their appearance and durability.
For teeth toward the back of the mouth that may not be as visible, metal dental bridges can provide an even more durable replacement tooth that will easily withstand the bite forces of chewing.
Why Should I Get Dental Bridges in Houston?
Many people opt for a dental bridge solely for the appearance of having a full set of teeth. While that is a viable reason for wanting one, there are a lot of practical reasons to get dental bridges as well.
A lost tooth affects speech, chewing, and drinking. In some cases, a missing tooth can also cause you to bite your own tongue or cheeks more often.
Beyond that, a lost tooth can cause the surrounding teeth, including ones above or below the gap, to shift their positions
This shifting can expose inner gum tissue, leading to gum disease. An uneven bite can also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
What is Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)?
The TMJ is a joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull just in front of the ears. This joint is what allows you to open your mouth to speak, drink, chew, or yawn.
An uneven bite caused by a missing tooth can cause stress for the TMJ. It can lead to symptoms of:
- Pain or tenderness around the face, particularly around the ear when chewing or opening your mouth wide
- Lockjaw, where the jaw sticks in either the open or closed position
- Noises when moving your jaw
- Swelling of the face
Dental bridges replace a missing tooth and help keep your bite even and aligned. Buy maintaining an even bite, you won’t put any undue stress on your teeth or TMJ, and your risks for gum disease will go down.
Consult with your Memorial dentist today to ask about dental bridges and see if they’d be a good option for you.
