Dental Bridges: What are my options?
Choosing a dental restoration that can meet your particular needs can be challenging. Most likely, you desire an attractive, natural-looking restoration that is also strong and comfortable. When you are missing one or more teeth, these criteria become even more important. After all, the tooth replacement that you select will become a part of your daily life.
Dr. Richard Sousa, your dentist serving Brookville NY, is available to help you in selecting the most appropriate solution. In terms of replacing a missing tooth, the more stable, permanent option tends to be the most satisfying choice for most patients.
A fixed bridge is often the recommendation of choice by your dentist as a permanent solution for replacing a missing tooth. The fixed bridge is securely anchored to at least two natural teeth and does not have to be removed for eating, drinking, or routine care. The bridge is suspended slightly above the gumline, depending upon the adjacent teeth for support, rather than resting on the gum tissue.
In comparison to the fixed bridge, the removable bridge or partial must be removed after each meal for proper brushing and flossing. It is not advisable to sleep with the partial in place, and patients are encouraged to remove it each night during the sleeping hours. This recommendation poses a challenge for many patients who may feel self-conscious about being seen without their teeth, even by family members.
The fixed bridge is generally a more conservative tooth replacement solution since it involves only the teeth on either side of the missing teeth. The removable bridge is typically a larger, bulkier option, made of a metal or acrylic base which spans to width of the upper or lower jaw. The removable bridge is also designed to clip or clasp onto multiple teeth on the left and right sides of the mouth, even when used to replace only a single tooth.
Your dentist will be glad to review the risks and benefits of each option in order to provide you with the restoration that is best for your health. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sousa today to find out which one is right for you.
