Crowns and bridges work together to securely restore your smile by filling in the gaps where teeth are missing. The crowns fit over existing teeth or on top of dental implants and help hold bridgework in place. Dr. Robin Lobato or Dr. Sean Truong, the skilled dentists at Dr. Robin Lobato & Associates in Summerlin Las Vegas, NV, can restore your smile with crowns and bridges and explain how to care for them so they last for years.
How Crowns and Bridges Help
Crowns and bridges are a highly effective option for replacing missing teeth. One of the biggest benefits is that they eliminate empty spaces between teeth. In addition to restoring your smile, there are many other ways crowns and bridges help. The teeth do so much more than simply chew food and tooth loss can lead to several unwanted side effects, including changes in your speech, limitations on what you can eat, facial sagging, and excess strain on remaining teeth that can cause them to be worn down faster.
The teeth help guide tongue placement when speaking. Your speech can change if the tongue slips into the gaps where teeth are missing. Tooth loss might also mean you are no longer able to eat certain foods if you don’t have the right teeth for biting into those foods. The teeth also provide support for the muscles in the face so sagging and drooping can occur following tooth loss. Finally, tooth loss often forces any remaining teeth to compensate for missing ones when eating, which places excess strain on those teeth.
By giving you back a full set of teeth, crowns, and bridges can minimize many of the side effects that accompany tooth loss. The knowledgeable dentists at our office in Summerlin Las Vegas, NV, can help you decide if crowns and bridges are the right tooth replacement option for you.
Caring for Your Crowns and Bridges
Taking care of your crowns and bridges can prevent damage and help them last as long as possible. You can care for your crowns and bridges in the same way you care for your natural teeth. Brush and floss all of your teeth, both natural and prosthetic, every day and avoid using your teeth to tear open packages or to chew on items, such as pen caps, out of habit. If you tend to grind your teeth at night, wearing a mouthguard when sleeping can protect your crowns and bridges, as well as your natural teeth, from sustaining damage.
Additionally, regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings are still important when you have crowns and bridges. Regular visits allow the dentist to ensure your crowns and bridges are still in good shape and have not been damaged. Further, plaque and tartar can still build up on your crowns and bridges. Scheduling professional cleanings regularly is the best way to thoroughly clean these deposits off both your natural and restored teeth.
Crowns and bridges can restore your smile and minimize the side effects of tooth loss. With proper care, your crowns and bridgework can last for many years. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lobato or Dr. Truong to learn more about crowns and bridges by calling Dr. Robin Lobato & Associates in Summerlin Las Vegas, NV, at (702) 877-0500.
