The loss of a single tooth can have a major impact on an individuals health and appearance. Teeth depend on each other for support and positioning.

When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth will shift out of their normal position.  The degree of shifting varies from case to case, based on the position of the space and the person. Teeth naturally erupt and drift forward, so generally speaking teeth opposite the space will hypererupt and those behind the space will drift forward. Teeth that drift are often more susceptible to decay or gum disease because they are more difficult to clean around.

All of this movement will lead to changes in the bite, which may put stress on the jaws, muscles and teeth. This can lead to difficulties with chewing and even changes in a person’s appearance.

A bridge can restore your teeth to normal function by replacing missing teeth. It will improve the entire health of your mouth by keeping the surrounding teeth in position and can also help maintain the structure of your face and jaw.