Dental bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They improve the look of your smile, the function of your bite and stop neighbouring teeth from drifting into the empty gum. If you have missing teeth, dental bridges can be an invaluable part of your mouth’s overall health.

The importance of dental bridges

Your dentist may recommend a bridge if you have a tooth that falls out or one that never showed up in the first place. This is because the gaps left by missing teeth will eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the open space. This can lead to problems with your bite as well as gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

Advantages

Dental bridges can:

• Restore your jaw’s optimal function

• Maintain the shape of your face

• Fix problems with your bite

• Improving your speech and eating

• Give you a more confident smile

How do they work?

Dental bridges span the space where teeth are missing. Made of porcelain, zirconia, gold or a combination of materials, they are cemented to the neighbouring natural teeth or implants. Once placed, only your dentist can remove them and, with good oral hygiene practices, they should last around 20-30 years.

Make an appointment with Duncan Dental

If you or your child has missing teeth, book an appointment with Duncan Dental on 11th Ave or Elizabeth Street. One of our Tauranga dentists will examine your teeth and let you know if dental bridges are right for you.

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