The best teeth are your own natural teeth. But sometimes a tooth is badly damaged or lost. If a tooth is lost, it is important to replace it as soon as possible. This prevents the remaining teeth from drifting out of line and possibly causing jaw problems.
Teeth that are out of line are harder to clean and more likely to develop gum disease and cavities.
A bridge, also called a fixed bridge, replaces one or more missing teeth. It spans the gap and is typically made of an artificial tooth fused between two crowns. If one or more of your teeth are missing, your dentist may suggest a bridge or a denture.