At Toups Family Dentistry our experienced dentist, Dr. Jason Toups, will try to preserve your natural teeth as much as possible, but in some cases a tooth extraction may be necessary. To replace the missing tooth, it may be necessary to use dental crowns, bridges, or dental implants.
Dental bridges are an effective way to repair gaps in your smile. Our dentist in Lafayette, La is highly experienced at bridges and will make you feel completely at ease in our dental chair.
Bridges fill the space created by a missing tooth. The bridge is formed to look like your missing tooth and replaces it in the mouth. The sides of a bridge use your two supporting teeth for support, which is where it gets its name. It replaces your missing tooth functionally and cosmetically.
The materials used for a bridge may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy or all-ceramic material. The choice of material depends on the requirements for strength, wear, and aesthetics. With the right care, bridges can last for years.
A missing tooth should be replaced as soon as possible. If it is not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a chain reaction of problems. Teeth use their neighbors for support and if one is missing, they start to “fall.” This can lead to problems with your entire jaw and potentially gum disease as well.