Your teeth are an important asset and component of your identity; without them, you wouldn’t be able to smile and chat with people in order to form meaningful connections! But if your smile is incomplete and you have several missing teeth in a row, you might be feeling a little frustrated, perhaps even embarrassed, about your situation. That said, you should want a solution that’s certain to restore your smile’s beauty and functionality—and two such options are dental bridges and partial dentures. Here’s a closer look at some of their key differences so you’ll have an idea of which might be better suited for your needs!
Understanding Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are sections of false teeth that rely on healthy adjacent teeth for support. This usually requires a little initial preparation for the adjacent teeth, since they need to be fitted with crowns, but the resulting restoration is remarkably durable, lifelike, and designed to remain a permanent addition to your smile! They can restore up to three or four teeth in a row and can last upwards of 10 or 15 years under prime circumstances.
A Closer Look at Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are similar to bridges in some ways, but are altogether a different solution suited for other situations involving missing teeth. Made from plastic, metal, or a combination, a partial denture contains a gum-colored base and false teeth. They’re designed to clip onto the remaining teeth that surround the gap, restoring appearance and oral functionality. They typically require repair or replacement after a few years (5 – 10 or so) and are a more affordable option, but do possess a little more versatility.
Which Is the Better Option?
Your dentist is going to be the most qualified person for deciding which of these two options, if either, is suitable for you; after all, everyone’s smile is different! For instance, a partial denture might be ideal if you have three or more missing teeth, your missing teeth aren’t grouped together, or if you’re likely to sustain future tooth loss. Conversely, a dental bridge might be ideal if you only need to restore one or two missing teeth; however, with bridges, another factor in play is the health of the adjacent teeth.
Upon inspecting your mouth and determining that you’re a good candidate for restorative dentistry, your dentist can come up with a customized treatment plan involving one of these options. That way, you can soon begin to enjoy life again with your all-important pearly whites!
About the Practice
The team at Moses Lake Family Dentistry is excited to offer patients and families in the Moses Lake community an unmatched level of high-quality dental care! Under the talented leadership of Dr. Craig R. Harder, the team proudly provides preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental services as well as emergency dentistry for those with urgent needs. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to arrange your next checkup, please visit the practice’s website or give them a call for further information or assistance. Telephone: (509) 765-4351.