Dental Bridges

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a false tooth, that is held in place by anchoring it to the surrounding teeth. The bridge is specially shaped to fit your mouth and the anchoring teeth will need to be recontoured to hold the bridge in place effectively.

How Do Dental Bridges Procedures Work?
 

Consultation

During your initial consultation your dentist will assess your suitability for dental bridge surgery. Good candidates for dental bridges are patients with healthy teeth surrounding the gap. If your dentist detects any underlying conditions with the surrounding teeth that may develop in the coming years, they may recommend a dental implant instead, as this form of dental procedure is not reliant on the presence of strong abutment teeth. You dentist need to take an X-ray to get a proper sense of which one is ideal for you.


Anaesthesia

Your dentist will use a local anesthetic while recontouring the abutment teeth to hold the crowns that will hold the bridge in place. The final procedure, where the bridge is cemented in place, is usually painless but your dentist may opt for the use of a local anesthetic again to ensure a comfortable experience.

Reshape The Teeth next To The gap

1. In the first part, your doctor will file and reshape the teeth next to the gap that is to be filled to make them suitable for holding the bridge in place. The dentist will then make an impression of the newly shaped area and send it to a lab so that a bespoke pontic can be created for you.
2. Your dentist may then create a temporary bridge or filling. This is mostly done for aesthetic reasons but also to provide protection for the reshaped teeth before the permanent teeth are cemented into place.

Custom-made crown placement

Once the dental bridge comes back from the lab, your dentist will arrange another appointment for you. At this session, the temporary filling will be removed and the area underneath thoroughly cleaned. The dentist may employ the use of a local anesthetic before applying dental cement and permanently fixing the new bridge into position.
 

How To Care For a Dental Bridge?
If your mouth feels a little sensitive in the first few days after your appointment, don't worry. Soon you won't even notice your bridge! In the meantime, you might feel most comfortable avoiding hot and cold foods and switching to a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth for a little while.

The areas around bridges are common places for gum disease and tooth decay, so good oral care is extremely important. If cared for properly, a bridge will last permanently. Follow your dentist's instructions for brushing and flossing around your bridge.

Here's a quick checklist for your dental bridge care:

• Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily between your teeth and under the bridge, according to your dentist's directions
• Ask your dentist if they recommend using a mouthwash as an added protection against gum disease and tooth decay
• Schedule your regular cleaning and dental exam at least twice a year
• Talk to your dentist if you notice any change or discomfort

What Are The Advantages of This Procedure?
A dental bridge can:

1. Helps your bite.
2. Prevent remaining teeth from moving out of place.
3. Restore your ability to chew and speak.
4. Restore your smile.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
Dental bridges can last at least five to seven years. With good oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings, the bridge may last more than 10 years.

  Ask the Doctor : Dental Bridges