Tooth loss can happen for many reasons, including decay, age, gum disease, or dental trauma. Losing teeth changes your appearance, but there are health consequences, too. The only way to restore your smile and chewing function is to artificially replace missing teeth. Dental bridges are a common solution. Does this treatment require surgery?
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a prosthesis with crowns on each end. These attach to the teeth you do have, while the artificial teeth in the middle of the bridge replace your missing teeth. Traditional bridges don’t require surgery because they anchor to existing teeth. We will need to do some tooth reshaping on your natural teeth, so the area is numbed with a local anesthetic. Bridges are a great option if you’re missing multiple teeth in a row, though we can also use a bridge for single-tooth loss.
What Are Implant-Supported Bridges?
Bridges can also be supported by implants, which do require oral surgery. An implant is a small biocompatible post surgically placed into your jawbone. We then wait until the post has fused, replacing your missing tooth root. This creates a strong foundation for a dental bridge. Why consider this type of bridge? Implant-supported bridges are more stable and we don’t need to modify your remaining teeth. The other big benefit is that implants preserve jawbone density, which traditional bridges don’t.
Dental Bridges at Dental Solutions of Columbus
If you choose a traditional bridge, you don’t need oral surgery. If you go with an implant-supported bridge, you will need surgery to get the implant. Both options have their pros and cons. If you’re missing teeth, a dental bridge might be right for you. At our Columbus office, our dentists will recommend what they believe is best based on your needs! Please contact us today with any questions or to set up a consultation.