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Placing A Bridge
After A Tooth Has Been Lost:
Placing
a bridge after a tooth has been lost can prevent a series of potential
problems that could affect your entire mouth.
Your
teeth support each other. Should you happen to loose a tooth and
choose not to replace it with a bridge or other solution, the biting force
changes on the teeth next to the space, and they begin to shift towards
that empty space. Also, since the tooth above the empty space no
longer has anything to chew against, it begins to extrude from its socket,
and there is a possibility that you can eventually end up losing that
tooth as well.
As
your bite changes, chewing your food becomes more difficult. This
can cause damage to your jaw-joint, also known as "TMJ".
TMJ is the
temporomandibular joint, the point where the lower jaw attaches to the skull, a
term given to a condition characterized by facial pain and restricted ability to
open/move the jaw.
It is
also much more difficult to clean teeth that have shifted. Harmful
plaque and tartar accumulate in these new hard-to-reach places, which can
result in cavities, gum disease, and permanent bone loss.
A dental bridge uses "abutments"
for support to hold it in place and are custom-crafted in a dental
laboratory to precisely fit your teeth.
A
missing tooth substantially modifies one's smile, but a bridge is an
excellent method of recovering your natural smile!
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Benefits & Differences Of A "Maryland
Bridge":
A
Maryland Bridge utilizes adjacent teeth for support, the same as any other
bridge. Unlike other bridge installations, a Maryland bridge does not
require extensive reduction of the adjacent supporting teeth.
In
this case, only the backs of the teeth receive a slight reduction.
Small "wings" of the bridge, which may be made of metal or
resin, are bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth in the reduced areas.
Overall
advantages of a Maryland bridge are:
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Less tooth reduction |
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Stronger teeth and less likelihood
of tooth sensitivity |
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Retained natural color and shape
of the supporting teeth |
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Healthier
gums with less risk of future disease |
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A
highly-aesthetic option that conserves as much tooth structure as
possible
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Placing a Gold Bridge on Back Teeth:
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A
minimum of two appointments
are normally required to replace a missing tooth with a gold bridge.
During the 1st appointment, your Dentist
will, after numbing the area, will remove any decay and then shape
the adjacent teeth. Next, an impression will be made
for the laboratory to custom craft the bridge for you. To
make a more accurate impression, string is placed in the space between the
tooth and the gums to gently push the gums away from the tooth.
Also, Impressions give an accurate working model of your mouth, including
the prepared teeth. This lets your dentist re-create your natural bite.
During
the short period (one to two weeks)
required for the dental lab to construct your new bridge, a temporary
bridge will have been placed in your mouth by your Dentist.
During
your next visit, the temporary bridge will be removed, and you will be
fitted with your new bridge. Your Dentist will assure the fit and quality
of your bite. When everything has been accurately positioned and all
check points have been assured as being correct for you, your new gold
bridge will be cemented in place.
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The Same Procedure Applies To:
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a Porcelain Bridge on Back Teeth: |
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Placing a
Three-Unit Bridge on Front Teeth:
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Placing a Maryland
Bridge:
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Placing a Cantilever
Bridge:
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Proper Care For Your Bridge:
A
dental bridge is highly dependent on the health of the adjacent teeth and
gums for support. Care of
your bridge includes brushing and flossing normally after each meal.
It is
recommended you use both "Superfloss" and "floss threaders"
to keep the area beneath your bridge plaque-free.
Superfloss
has a stiff end that helps in threading it through tight areas, and a
fuzzy tufted segment that can remove plaque as you floss. When you insert
superfloss beneath the bridge, you can use it to floss the sides of
the teeth and the area beneath the bridge.
Floss
threaders can also be used to assist in removing plaque. Using
approximately 18 inches of floss, insert it through the floss threader,
and then use the threader to insert the floss beneath your bridge.
Floss to remove food particles and plaque from the sides of the teeth and
beneath the bridge.
It is
recommended that you use the same procedure to care for your temporary
bridge, but you must be very careful not to dislodge it when you brush and
floss. If it does come loose, gently re-attach it; and consult with
your Dentist if the temporary bridge does come loose frequently.
Also, depending on your specific
situation, your Dentist may provide you with additional tools and
instructions to help keep all the areas around your bridge free from
plaque buildup.
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Alternatives To Bridges:
Options
when missing one or more teeth that you can consider as viable
options are:
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Delay treatment. This is
the least-desirable option. Things will only get worse. |
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Implants.
An implant with a crown might be a
good choice.Treatment time is much longer, but your dentist wouldn't
have to modify the teeth next to the space. |
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A
partial denture. A partial denture could work well if
several teeth are missing throughout the mouth. It fills in the spaces and
restores your natural bite. |
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A space maintainer. Space
maintainers are used as a temporary solution when children lose a tooth.
It keeps the teeth from shifting, as it holds a space for the emerging
permanent teeth. |
| A bridge |
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After Receiving a Crown or Bridge, What Next:
Crowns
and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete.
On
the first appointment, the teeth are prepared. Temporary crowns or bridges
are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restorations are being
made.
After
each appointment when anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and
tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid any chewing until the
numbness has completely worn off.
On
rare occasions, temporary crowns come off. Call your Dentist if this
happens, and keep the temporary so it can be re-cemented. It is very
important for the proper fit of your final restoration that temporaries
stay in place. It is also normal to experience some sensitivity to
heat, cold and pressure after each appointment.
Your
gums may also be sore for several days afterwards. Rinse three times
a day with warm salt water to reduce pain and swelling. Use any
prescribed medication only as directed.
To
help keep your temporary in place, avoid eating sticky foods (this
includes chewing gum of any kind), hard foods, and if possible, chew only
on the opposite side of your mouth.
It's
important to continue to brush normally, but floss very carefully and pull
the floss out from the side to prevent dislodging the temporary
crown. If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or
you have any other questions or concerns, call your Dentist's office.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
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Will
there be any pain after receiving a bridge?
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Your
gums may feel sore and you may find that your teeth feel more sensitive to
changes in pressure and temperature. These feelings usually disappear
after a few days.
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After
my bridge has been fitted, how long will the numbness last?
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Anesthesia
on the upper jaw lasts two to three hours; for the lower jaw, allow about
three to four hours for it to wear off.
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How
long will it be necessary to wear a temporary bridge?
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Most
patients wear a temporary bridge for about three weeks. If your
treatment includes extractions, you may need to wear them for up to three
months. Periodontal surgery could extend this period to six or more
months. |
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