Tooth loss is a real problem in the United States. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, as many as 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 40 million are missing all of their natural teeth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that at least one in five Americans over age 65 are missing all of their teeth due to factors like untreated tooth decay and gum disease.
If you’re missing one or more of your teeth, we can help get your smile and your oral health back on track. Jeremy Haider, DMD, and the dental team at Haider Family Dentistry offer a range of cosmetic and general dentistry services at our office in Salem, Oregon. For missing teeth, a dental bridge is an excellent choice to improve your smile.
How missing teeth affect your smile and your health
Tooth loss can have a huge impact on your confidence and self-esteem. Even a single missing tooth can ruin an otherwise perfectly healthy and attractive smile, which can take a toll on your personal and professional life.
In addition to the cosmetic problems created by tooth loss, missing teeth can wreak havoc on your oral and overall health. You may experience:
- Altered or slurred speech
- Difficulty chewing or nutrition problems
- Bone loss and gum disease
- General health problems related to complications from advanced gum disease
Whether you’ve recently suffered from tooth loss due to an oral health issue or trauma or you’ve been living with missing teeth for years, it’s never too late to replace missing teeth.
How a dental bridge can improve your smile and your health
A dental bridge is one of the most efficient and reliable options available to restore missing teeth and correct and a damaged smile. It is a prosthetic device made to fill a gap between two remaining teeth. Bridging the gap prevents your teeth from moving and affecting your bite and jawbone.
A bridge consists of a set of crowns: The replacement crown for the missing tooth is anchored in place by abutment crowns on either side, placed over your natural teeth for a secure fit. The dental crowns are custom-designed to match the shade and texture of your natural teeth, making the bridge undetectable when you smile.
Once permanently fixed in place, the bridge feels and functions just like your natural teeth, so you can enjoy all of your favorite foods, speak clearly, and smile again with confidence. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups and dental cleanings, your dental bridge can last a lifetime.
For more information about dental bridgework and other oral health care options available to you at Haider Family Dentistry, contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Haider or you can also request an appointment online.