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A dental bridge lasts for an average of 5 to 7 years but can last for up to 15 years.
Dr. Natchi will perform an oral exam to assess the extent of your tooth loss and will take x-rays to ensure you’re in good oral health.
Two of your teeth on either side of the gap in your smile will need to receive dental crowns which will serve as the anchors for the bridge. To prepare the teeth for crowns, we will remove a small amount of tooth enamel to create room for crowns to be placed on top.
After filing down your teeth, we will take impressions of your mouth and send them to the dental lab that will fabricate your custom-made bridge.
Since we’ve filed down your teeth, you will need to wear an immediate temporary bridge to protect these teeth and they will help you eat until your official bridge is created.
After a few weeks, we will receive your official dental bridge and will call you back for a fitting. If everything feels and looks right, we will cement it in place.
A traditional fixed bridge involves filing down the two abutment teeth that are each located next to the missing tooth (gap) in your smile. These teeth are filed down under local anesthetic with a dental drill to prepare them to receive dental crowns. These crowns are the anchors of the bridge and a pontic tooth will be connected to them. The pontic tooth replaces the missing tooth and fills the gap.
As opposed to two abutment teeth receiving dental crowns, only one abutment tooth is needed to support a cantilever bridge. One tooth next to the gap will be filed down and receive a dental crown that is attached to a pontic tooth. A cantilever bridge can be used when there isn’t another tooth to support the bridge or the other tooth isn’t sufficiently healthy.
This is also known as a resin-bonded bridge. They are similar to the traditional dental bridge in that they involve the support of two teeth. However, instead of filing down these teeth and placing dental crowns over them, Maryland bridges don’t require any enamel removal at all.
Instead, wings that are placed behind the teeth which are connected to a metal wire framework hold the pontic tooth in place and they are bonded to the back of your teeth.
Implant-supported bridges are just like traditional fixed bridges except for instead of placing dental crowns over the two abutment teeth, these teeth are replaced with dental implants. The implants act as the anchors for the pontic tooth and this offers superior stability, strength, and durability.
The process of getting a dental bridge typically involves two or more visits to your dentist. During your first visit, Dr. Navaneetha Brindha at West Allen Dental will prepare the abutment teeth - the teeth on either side of the gap. This involves recontouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. Impressions of your teeth are then made, which serve as a model from which the dental lab will create your bridge.
Dr. Brindha will make a temporary bridge for you to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while your bridge is being made. During the second visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and the new permanent bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit. Multiple visits may be required to check the fit of the metal framework and bite. This is dependent on each individual's case.
Yes, dental bridges can indeed replace multiple missing teeth. A traditional dental bridge consists of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap – these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth – and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants. If you have more than one missing tooth, your dentist will simply add more pontics to your bridge to replace them.
Dental bridges can last five to 15 years and even longer. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, it is not uncommon for the life span of a fixed bridge to be over 10 years. It is important to remember that the longevity of a dental bridge heavily depends on the health of your supporting teeth and gums. This is why maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene routine is crucial. Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and using an antiseptic mouthwash can help keep your remaining teeth healthy.
Regular dental visits for professional cleanings and oral examinations are also essential. Additionally, avoiding hard and sticky foods that can cause damage to the bridge is important. Protective measures like wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth can also extend the life of your dental bridge, ensuring it serves its purpose for as long as possible.
The process of getting a dental bridge should not be painful. During the first visit, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area of the mouth where the dental bridge will be placed. Therefore, you should feel no pain during the procedure. After the numbness wears off, you may experience some mild discomfort and sensitivity, especially if the abutment teeth were affected by decay or infection prior to the procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient to manage this discomfort, but your dentist may prescribe stronger medication if necessary. If you experience pain or discomfort that seems excessive or lasts more than a few days, you should contact your dentist.
Regular dental visits for professional cleanings and oral examinations are also essential. Additionally, avoiding hard and sticky foods that can cause damage to the bridge is important. Protective measures like wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth can also extend the life of your dental bridge, ensuring it serves its purpose for as long as possible.
An implant-supported bridge prevents bone resorption that would occur after losing a tooth.
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