Most people don’t realize how common it is to lose one or more permanent teeth across a lifetime. Tooth loss can be caused by several factors, including injury and severe tooth decay. If you are missing one or more permanent teeth, this can affect the way you feel about your appearance, and your oral health and function. Bridges in Waterford, MI are a restorative treatment provided by our dentists near you at The Waterford Dentist.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is an apparatus designed to replace one or more permanent teeth. The replacement tooth is anchored between a “bridge” of crowns on either side so it can be affixed to the original teeth on either side of the tooth gap. Dental bridges can restore a patient’s appearance by eliminating visible tooth gaps. In addition, this apparatus can restore a patient’s oral health by preventing any remaining permanent teeth from shifting into the gap left by the loss of a permanent tooth.

Dental bridges also help patients with tooth loss maintain their oral functioning. This includes the ability to properly eat and speak, improving overall quality of life.

Avoiding Tooth Loss

Of course, the best method of avoiding tooth loss is to take excellent care of your oral health. This includes a dedicated regiment of daily brushing and flossing. Patients should also visit our dentists in Waterford, MI for professional examinations and cleanings every six months. These appointments allow our dental care team to determine if any oral health issues are present that threaten the condition of your teeth and gums and gives us a chance to treat these issues before they result in potential tooth loss. In addition to excellent oral health habits, personal habits can influence the prevention of tooth loss. Avoiding tobacco use and an unhealthy diet will help patients lower their risk of losing one or more permanent teeth.

You don’t have to live with tooth loss and gaps. For more information about dental bridges near you, contact our team at The Waterford Dentist. We are proud to offer bridges as a restorative procedure for patients who have experienced tooth loss.