All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. When one tooth or multipele teeth are lost, the remaining teeth will start to shift and can lead to the following problems.
- Difficulty to clean and maintain proper oral hygiene which can give rise to periodontal problems
- TMJ problems due to migration in the bite and an imbalance in function
- Esthetic and social interaction problems
- Less chewing capacity which can negatively influence the digestive system
Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss such as a dental bridge
A porcelain dental bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — permanently attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth (fixed bridge). Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth.