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You may wonder why you would need dental care for a missing tooth that is not visible when you smile. The fact is that any missing teeth will disrupt your tooth alignment. Your teeth will automatically shift to fill in the gap, leading to openings in other parts of your smile. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, approximately 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. If you are missing one or more teeth, you may feel self-conscious about your smile.
At Eric Batterton, DDS, we understand how important it is to feel confident in your appearance. That’s why we offer dental bridges as a sensible solution for patients with missing teeth in Delaware, OH.
Dental bridges aim to fill the gaps in your smile, restoring both the function and aesthetic of your teeth. Dental bridges are two dental crowns placed on the teeth on either side of the gap, with false teeth (called pontics) in between. This creates a “bridge” that fills the space and gives you a natural-looking, complete smile. If you are interested in learning more about dental bridges and whether they are the right solution for you, we invite you to contact our office today.
You may wonder if you need a dental bridge or implants to replace more than one tooth. While implants are often long lasting, they have a higher risk of infection or failure. As an alternative, a dental bridge can replace multiple teeth while minimizing the risk of complications. These are four signs that a dental bridge is a better option than implants:
Dental implants are less likely to be successful for smokers because nicotine impairs blood flow to the gums and delays healing. Consequently, the incision made in the gums has a greater chance of bleeding or not recovering correctly.
Because individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to implant failures from slow wound healing, choosing a dental bridge is much safer. Placing a bridge doesn’t require surgical wounds and, thus, decreases the risk of infection.
Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Eric Batterton, DDS, if you want a tooth replacement or have periodontal disease. Having solid and healthy gums is essential to support any restoration. Thus, our top priority will be helping you achieve optimal gum health so that we can determine together whether a bridge or implant would be best for your overall dental health.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Eric Batterton will examine your mouth to determine if a dental bridge is the best option for you. If we decide that a bridge is right course of action, we will take impressions of your teeth to create a custom restoration. The bridge typically takes two weeks to complete and will be placed during a follow-up appointment.
Most patients report feeling little to no discomfort during the dental bridge procedure. However, if you are anxious about treatment, we offer sedation dentistry options to help you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout your appointment.
If you are interested in learning more about dental bridges or our other tooth replacement options, we invite you to contact our office today. We would be happy to answer any of your questions.
