In restorative dentistry, there are two important aspects. There’s the functional aspect that involves making sure your oral health is restored completely, and there’s the aesthetic aspect that can have a profound impact on your self-esteem and confidence. After all, everyone wants to be able to smile and talk naturally without having to worry about the appearance of their teeth. This is why procedures like dental bridges are essential when dealing with issues such as tooth decay, missing teeth, and other dental problems. If you’re considering getting dental bridges in South Tampa, here are the basics you need to know.
Why are they used?
If you have dental problems that have caused you to lose teeth, the remaining space must be addressed. Gaps between your teeth are extremely problematic, as they can lead to several complications. These complications can be as simple as an increased risk for cavities in the surrounding teeth or as complex as additional tooth loss and gum disease. This is where dental bridges enter the picture as one of the most common solutions to fill undesired gaps between your teeth. You can ask your dentist in South Tampa for more details on the advantages or disadvantages of the procedure.
Benefits of dental bridges
Overall there are many advantages to enjoy from obtaining dental bridges. If you ask any dentist near you, they would probably tell you how they are key to restoring the functions of your teeth to their original capacity. Most of them can be overlooked daily, only when we encounter issues that prevent us from performing them do we realize how vital they are.
Speaking clearly
Maybe you’re not aware of this, but the presence of teeth in your mouth is essential to both pronunciation and enunciation. The interaction your tongue has with your teeth is what produces clear speech, no matter what language you’re speaking. Fixing any gaps in your teeth will be necessary for you to have proper articulation, especially if this could affect your performance at work or school.
Preventing shifting and tooth damage
The gaps don’t only create problems for you to speak clearly, but also they can lead to shifting of the remaining teeth. When teeth shift, they adopt unnatural positions which can make them much harder to clean. This, in turn, increases the risk of tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and further tooth loss. They also represent an aesthetic issue as shifted teeth will appear crooked most often than not.
Maintaining facial features
The shifting doesn’t only affect the appearance of your smile, but also the way you look with your mouth closed. Shifted teeth result in misalignment of your bite, which can radically change the shape of your face over time.
Chewing properly
Bite misalignment also affects your ability to eat comfortably. Just imagine this, you’re trying to enjoy your morning cereal when you keep biting your cheek or tongue every time you have another spoonful of it. Sounds terrible, doesn’t it? This is why dental bridges can be a long-term solution for people with dental issues.
Dental bridges are also more affordable than other solutions offered in restorative dentistry. They can be placed in a short amount of time compared to dental implants and the results can be just as effective and natural-looking. To prevent problems that could diminish your quality of life, it’s best for you to regularly visit your dental office in South Tampa. They will be able to advise you on whether dental bridges are the best option for you to recover your smile.