When teeth are missing, a fixed dental bridge is a good choice for replacing them. A bridge maintains a stable bite and restores your beautiful smile. It can also prevent a chain reaction of problems, including:
- Shifting teeth
- Difficulty keeping teeth free of plaque and bacteria
- Loss of bone in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing
- Grinding and clenching
- Pain in the jaw joint, the TMJ
Why missing teeth need to be replaced
Teeth need each other for support. When you lose a tooth, the biting forces change on the teeth next to the space, causing the teeth to shift. In addition, the opposing teeth no longer have anything to chew against, so they may begin to extrude out of their sockets. These changes create places around the teeth that are hard to keep clean, so plaque and bacteria accumulate quickly.
This accumulation can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease. Changes in the bite can also put improper chewing forces on the shifted teeth, and this can lead to loose teeth and loss of jawbone, especially when periodontal disease is already present in your mouth.
An uneven bite makes it harder to chew your food and may lead to grinding and clenching. A bad bite can also create painful problems with your jaw joint, the TMJ. |
