Dental bridges are valuable tools to help people with missing teeth get back the functionality they once had. However, they can also cause some problems over time. If you think that one or more of your teeth that support your dental bridges are becoming crooked or twisted out of shape, read on to learn more about how dental implant services can get you back on track.

Bridges Get Twisted

Dental bridges are aptly named, as they are literally bridges between healthy teeth. When you have one or more missing teeth, a dental bridge is attached to the two nearest healthy teeth—one on each side. When you bite down on the bridge, pressure is put on the neighboring, supportive teeth. Over time, this can cause the teeth to slowly start to shift directions. While the movement will be microscopic at first; over time, it can build up and become noticeable.

This is more likely to happen to you if you have certain habits, like biting your fingernails. It can even go so far as to damage the supporting teeth, causing permanent harm.

Dental Implants Work for the Supporting Teeth Too

Dental implants are one of the best tooth-replacing tools available from dentists, both for their ability to replace the appearance and functionality of a real tooth and for helping to keep your jaw and bones healthy. However, you shouldn't stop there if two or more of your teeth have become crooked due to a dental bridge.

Replacing the two anchoring teeth with dental implants is a very good idea. This is because they have already become crooked, which may mean that there's underlying damage. Replacing the tooth with an implant means your tooth will be aligned correctly and will be strong and healthy.

The Process Is Straightforward

Getting dental implants is a multi-step process, but it isn't hard to do. Your dentist will walk you through every step.

When you get implants, your dentist will take measurements of your teeth and jaw, both visually and with X-rays. This will allow them to order an implant for you that's the right size. From there, your dentist will make sure that your oral health is good enough for dental implants.

If everything looks good, your dentist will start by removing your dental bridge. From there, they will extract your two supportive teeth. Then, the dental implant posts will be put in place. You will need to go home and wait for your gums to fully heal before continuing.

Once you're all healed up, your dental implants will have been delivered to your dentist's office. From there, it's a simple attachment process. Once the crowns are on top of the implant posts, you're ready to go!

Dental implants are a great way of not only replacing missing teeth but repairing the damage that some tooth replacement methods can cause to your remaining teeth. If you think you might need dental implants, talk to a dentist to get started.