What is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges fill in the missing space where a tooth has been removed or lost. Dental bridges are generally made up of two crowns and a false tooth called a pontic. The pontic is the false tooth that goes where the missing tooth once was. Unlike dental implants that are inserted into your gum and bone to hold a fake tooth, the pontic is held in place by two crowns that are placed over the teeth on either side of the pontic. The row that includes the pontic and crowns are what make up the “bridge.”
WHAT DOES A DENTAL BRIDGE PROCEDURE LOOK LIKE ?
Step 1: Preparing your Teeth
Your dentist will first need to reshape the teeth that will be housing the dental bridge. These teeth will be fitted with dental crowns to support the bridge. Your dentist will offer you a local anesthesia during this process.
Step 2: Impressions
Next, your dentist will make impressions of your mouth for the dental bridge. These impressions will be sent to a lab to construct your permanent dental bridge.
Step 3: Temporary Bridge
While your dental bridge is being made, you will receive a temporary bridge to protect the gums where the missing tooth is and the teeth that will receive the crowns.
Step 4: Your Second Visit
When you return to the dentist, your temporary bridge will be removed and the permanent bridge will be applied. Your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to the permanent bridge to ensure a proper fit. You will wear the dental bridge for a couple of weeks so that your dentist can be sure the bridge is fitting correctly and comfortably in your mouth before they are cemented in.
It is important to continue good oral hygiene habits to keep the rest of your teeth healthy and functional.
Brushing and flossing twice per day, as well as using mouthwash, can help prevent tooth decay. You should also continue regular trips to the dentist for a professional cleaning and to make sure there are no issues.
