Missing teeth can affect more than just your appearance—they can also influence your oral health, speech, diet, and confidence. If you’ve gone several years without replacing a lost tooth, you may worry that it’s too late to get dental implants. The good news? Many patients discover they’re still excellent candidates even after significant time has passed.

Here’s what you should know about long-term tooth loss and your implant options.

Dental bridges are remarkable prosthetic devices that are frequently used to replace one or several sequential teeth, and they can be great ways to keep your smile complete and functional for up to fifteen years before needing replacement. You should never be able to remove your bridge without the help of a qualified dentist, so you’ll need to make an appointment if your appliance is dislodged or falls out of your mouth. Here’s a quick guide to how your dentist can fix a loose dental bridge.