When you lose a tooth, you usually notice the difference pretty quickly.
Chewing may feel a little off, certain foods may be harder to manage, or you may just miss seeing your full smile when you glance in the mirror.
A dental bridge fills the open space with a replacement tooth (or teeth) and is anchored to the teeth next to it. The bridge is a permanent restoration that stays in your mouth, so there is nothing to take out at night or worry about keeping track of.
If the missing tooth is toward the back, you may be tempted to leave it alone. After all, no one can see it. But your teeth can respond to that space over time, and the teeth beside it may start to move.
That can make your bite feel different than it used to. It can also change how you chew, especially if you have already gotten into the habit of favoring one side.
A bridge fills the space and gives you a tooth to chew with again. It is made to fit in with the teeth around it, so the goal is for it to look like it has always belonged there.
There is more than one way to replace a missing tooth, and there is no reason to decide before you know what your choices are. At Silva Dentistry, we can look at the area, see how the nearby teeth are doing, and talk with you about whether a bridge or dental implant makes more sense for your situation.
If you have been putting off doing something about a missing tooth, give us a call. We would be happy to take a look and help you figure out what comes next. Call our Wolfeboro office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Silva.