When you lose a tooth, it is absolutely critical that steps are taken to prevent the surrounding teeth from coming together to fill the void. The shifting of the teeth to fill such a void is called “malocclusion.” Malocclusion causes numerous oral problems including constant biting of the tongue, lips and mouth as teeth shift inappropriately; an uncomfortable bite; tooth breakage; difficulty speaking and undesirable appearance.
Dental bridges, as the name implies, create a bridge between remaining teeth – filling in the void with an artificial tooth that is shaped and colored like the tooth that was lost. The rigid bridge prevents malocclusion, facilitates natural chewing and speaking and improves appearance.
Before the advent of dental implants, dental bridges were the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth. Today, while dental bridges are still widely in use as a treatment option, dental implants are most often the preferred course of treatment.
Doctor McFarland will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of opting for a dental bridge versus a dental implant, and which option is best suited to your particular case.
Doctor McFarland has been a dentist in Miles City since 1993. As the head of a full service family dental practice, Doctor McFarland performs all dental procedures including cosmetic and restoration; dentures; dental bonding; bridges; crowns; implants; veneers; teeth whitening; sealants; fluoride treatments; root canals and more. McFarland Family Dentistry also maintains its own laboratory, fabrication and x-ray facilities to ensure patients receive the very best care with as few visits as possible.
