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A missing tooth or teeth can create an unhealthy situation over
time. It is very important to restore these gaps. When one or
more teeth are lost or missing, the neighboring teeth can shift,
tip or even "super-erupt" into the space. Teeth that have drifted
from their normal and healthy position are often more susceptible
to decay and gum disease. Further, this movement can lead to
changes in a patient's bite that can ultimately put stress on
the jaws, muscles, teeth and temporomandibular joints (TMJ).
Over time this can affect a patient's ability to chew and may
even change the facial appearance depending on the location
and number of missing teeth.
There are two ways to replace a missing tooth or teeth: fixed
and removable. A bridge is a permanent or fixed replacement,
while a denture is a removable replacement. A bridge consists
of replacement teeth (one or more) that are attached to crowns
on the adjacent teeth. The replacement teeth are shaped and
contoured to blend in with the natural teeth in the mouth.
This procedure takes two or more visits to complete. At the
first visit, the adjacent teeth are reduced, an impression is
taken and sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication. At the
second visit, the bridge is fit and placed permanently in the
mouth. Like crowns, bridges can be made from variety of materials
for strength and esthetic appearance. While it should always
be discussed with your dentist before treatment, a fixed restoration
is generally considered to be the favored solution for tooth
replacement. |
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