Why Dental Bridges Are Necessary After an Extraction

Addressing the space left behind after an extraction is essential, as leaving it untreated can lead to a multitude of functional and aesthetic challenges. A dental bridge is an appliance, one of four types, that effectively addresses each challenge by filling the space, leaving you with a complete and functional smile. This causes a ripple effect throughout all capacities of your health.

Restores chewing function

One of the primary functions of teeth is to break down food during the chewing process. After an extraction, whether one or several, the balance and functionality of a patient's bite will change. If a patient receives front tooth extractions, biting down on objects will become difficult and time-consuming, often resulting in patients forgoing many of their favorite foods and nutritional options altogether due to their frustrations. Likewise, extracting the molars (back teeth) can make breaking down foods into a safe size difficult. In some cases, eating solid foods can become a safety hazard if not careful. The dental bridge's design allows it to span the gap left after an extraction, restoring proper dental alignment and efficient chewing.

Restores clear speech patterns

Teeth also have a major impact on speech patterns. When a tooth or teeth are missing, particularly in the front, a patient's ability to speak clearly is significantly impacted. This can lead to difficulties in pronunciation and potential embarrassment in social or professional settings. Seeing as dental bridges span the newfound gap, speech issues, such as a lisp, will immediately be remedied if the problem is a result of the extraction.

Prevents teeth from shifting

It is clear to see how missing teeth create a domino effect. Extracting a tooth does not stop with the single tooth but also affects the surrounding teeth. If left empty, a missing tooth can cause severe misalignments in the neighboring teeth as they try to readjust and fill the newfound space. The dental bridge fills the space before the neighboring teeth try to shift or tilt out of position. Quickly filling the space after the extraction site has healed contributes to the stability and harmony of a patient's smile, ultimately preserving the symmetry of their smile.

Preserves jawbone

A tooth extraction can impact not only the remaining teeth's alignment but also the face's shape and symmetry. Over time, the bone in the jaw that once supported the extracted tooth can deteriorate, resulting in gum recession, additional tooth loss, a sunken or collapsed appearance, sinus deficiencies, jaw pain, and headaches. Dental bridges provide the structural support necessary to achieve symmetry while preventing other medical conditions that stem from jawbone recession.