A dental bridge is a dentistry treatment that can help to restore your smile and bite. If you are missing a tooth, a dental bridge can restore the missing tooth without the need for a denture. A bridge is typically made of porcelain, which is a strong material that looks very similar to a natural tooth.
The bridge is made up of an artificial tooth with supporting crowns on one or both sides. The crowns are fixed to the surrounding teeth and permanently bonded in place. This procedure can help to restore your smile and protect your surrounding teeth from shifting out of alignment. It will also restore your bite, meaning you can chew food with ease.
Dental bridges are typically fitted over two appointments. During the first appointment, we will prepare the surrounding teeth for the bridge and take impressions. These impressions are used to create your porcelain bridge.
When you return to the practice, we will fix the bridge in place using a specialist dental cement. Once bonded in place, your dental bridge could last for up to 10 years with the right care. If you are looking for a more permanent option that doesn’t impact the adjacent teeth, we would recommend dental implants.
Following your treatment, your tooth may feel slightly more sensitive as you adjust to the new bridge.
After the treatment, you may have some increased sensitivity to hot and cold. This should soon pass as you get used to your new dental bridge. It might feel strange having the bridge filling the space where your gap used to be. It can also take some time to get used to having a tooth opposite, so your bite might feel a little strange.
It’s important to take good care of your dental bridge to avoid potential problems. You will need to brush your teeth twice a day and brush your bridge, just as you would with your natural teeth. You may also need to use interdental brushes, a water flosser or a special type of floss to clean under the bridge and protect your gums.
If you have a missing tooth, you could be an excellent candidate for a dental bridge. During your consultation appointment, we will examine your mouth and the surrounding teeth to determine if a bridge would be the right treatment option for you. The surrounding teeth will need to be strong enough to support the bridge.
