Dental Bridge After losing one or several teeth, there are gaps left between the remaining teeth. Dental bridges can fill those gaps with false teeth known as pontics. A dental bridge has crowns on both sides of the gap of the lost or missing tooth. The crowns are cemented onto the teeth adjacent to the gaps. If you have lost teeth from gum disease, decay, or trauma, it is possible to have an artificial tooth or pontic put in place to occupy the space where the lost teeth were. To be able to have a dental bridge, the adjacent teeth of the lost ones should be healthy, as they are the ones to offer the support for the pontic or the surfaces where the crowns are cemented in place. You can come to Wy'East Dental to meet our dental team if you have lost teeth and need replacement. Dental Bridge ProcedureTo complete a dental bridge procedure, we will require you to make two visits. First, the dentist will prep the supporting teeth by reshaping them. The dentist will remove parts of the external hard tissue known as enamel and well as dentin. Doing so helps make room for the crown placement. Next, the dentist will take impressions that provide an accurate model of the teeth. A digital scan can also serve the purpose. The model from the impression aids with the construction of the pontic, bridge, and crown pieces. Our dentist will make temporary crowns that are fitted to offer protection to the exposed areas of the shaved-down tooth. A permanent bridge is installed on the second visit. Our dentist will take out your temporary bridge, replacing it with the permanent one. We will check the bridge to see that it fits properly. Should there be adjustments and changes required, the dentist will do them right away before permanently affixing the final bridge. What to Expect During RecoveryDental bridges are able to last for five to seven years. However, their lifespan depends on the way you care for the restorations. With proper oral hygiene coupled with routine professional cleanings, you can expect the bridgework to last over 10 years. Dental bridges can improve your speech. Often the success of a bridge, by and large, depends on how strong and healthy the remaining teeth are. If you have bridgework, it is crucial that you prevent decay and gum disease since they can contribute to the loss of the supporting teeth. Brush twice a day to keep bacteria and plaque away. Floss daily to get rid of plaque between the teeth. Make a regular visit to our office to have professional cleanings. Our dentist can detect problems with your bridges or the existing teeth early and deploy intervention measures. Be sure to consume a balanced diet. You need to keep the teeth strong so, consider a diet that promotes stronger teeth. Eat plenty of fiber, vegetables, and fruit. Reduce chewy and fibrous foods, including meats since they can harm your restorations. Visit us at Wy'East Dental if you are considering having dental bridges. Our team will assess your need for restoration before recommending them to you. Call us at (503) 919-2802 to request a consultation. |
 |
