Dentures vs Dental Bridges
Milwaukie, OR
Tooth loss can raise quite an issue for anyone. When you have missing teeth in obvious places, it affects the quality of your smile and relatively affects your confidence. Even when that is not a major issue, it affects the functionality of your teeth. Chewing, biting, and speaking is hindered, and you have to figure out creative ways around these impediments.
If you are looking for a restorative solution, you might be caught between dentures and dental bridges. At ComfortCare Dental, we help our patients decide which form of restorative dentistry is best suited for them. Here is a clear explanation of what they are and how they work.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are removable plates that have artificial teeth fixed on them. They are designed to fit onto the space where you are missing teeth by being attached to the natural teeth surrounding the space. Once placed, they provide a replacement for the missing teeth and enable you to chew and eat most meals easily. It could either be made with plastic or metal, and you will have to remove them before sleeping at night.
Depending on the patient, dentures could be complete or partial. Complete dentures are also called full sets and are recommended for patients who have lost all of their teeth. Partial dentures are done for patients who still have some of their natural teeth. Both types have metal clasps under artificial gums that hold them steady on the jaw. Maintaining dentures are pretty easy, as you will be required to clean them regularly to ensure that plaque or stains do not build up.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fitted row of replacement teeth that spans the area of the missing teeth. It is designed to present a natural finish and restore function to your set. Dental bridges have crowns at each end where they are fitted on the surrounding natural teeth and held securely in place. A dental bridge requires that a patient has healthy natural teeth on both sides of the missing tooth.
These natural teeth are called abutments, and they are shaped to hold the first and last crowns on a dental bridge. Dental bridges can be made with porcelain or ceramics. Once fixed, it stays permanently in the mouth and they fit snugly to imitate your natural teeth. Your good oral hygiene is required to care for them, and you should take care to clean under the bridge too.
Choosing Between Dentures and Bridges
While you might want to replace or cover the empty space left by your tooth loss, there are certain things to consider when choosing between dentures and bridges. If you have lost many teeth in close relation, then you might need dentures. If you are missing just one or a few teeth in the same place, then you could consider getting bridges.
Speaking to our professionals will make the decision easier. We will assess and examine your dental arches to help you decide which one suits you best. We would also assess your remaining natural teeth and bones to see if they are strong enough for whichever restorative method you decide on. To know more about dentures and bridges and how you may benefit from them, speak to ComfortCare Dental today at our Milwaukie office at (503)653-8320 or Oregon City at (503)557-3747 to schedule a convenient consultation.
