Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog

Anyone can lose a tooth at any time – from a car accident or sports accident, for example. Those who neglect their dental hygiene for long enough will develop gum disease, which eventually loosens the teeth so that they fall out.

Traditionally, a dental bridge has been used to replace a lost tooth and this is an excellent solution in some respects. It fills that gap in your smile or in your back teeth and that has the added benefit of keeping the rest of your teeth properly aligned. If the tooth gap were to be left too long, the nearby teeth would drift into the space, losing their good alignment. They need a replacement tooth in that space to hold them in line.

The downside of a dental bridge is that it does not fill the gap in your jawbone where the lost tooth root used to be. That leaves you with a danger similar to that presented by the tooth gap – gum tissue will sink down into that bone space, creating an indentation in your gums. Also, the jawbone tissue may shrink into it, changing your jawline and facial profile, giving it an older look.

Modern cosmetic dentistry offers an alternative to dental bridges – dental implants. These are synthetic tooth roots, positioned in the bone, with a small abutment protruding through the gums. A porcelain tooth is permanently attached to the abutment. This arrangement fills both gaps and gives you a new lease on your dental life.

Caring For Bridges and Implants

A fixed bridge requires the same good hygiene you give your natural teeth every day. Of course, a removable bridge needs daily cleaning with an appropriate solution. Implants themselves require no care, as they are solidly embraced by jawbone tissue and not accessible. The replacement tooth, or teeth, anchored by an implant requires daily brushing and flossing like your natural teeth.

At some point, your bridge will need adjusting as the mouth tissues age and gums shrink. Your implant is a permanent solution and will give you excellent, unlimited service as long as you keep up your daily hygiene and prevent gum disease.

If you are in the Hannibal, Missouri area, please visit Dr. Charles Janes’ website to learn more about bridges and implants. For the names of qualified cosmetic dentists in your area, please contact us.