Overview of dental bridge procedure
If you have a space from a missing tooth
or teeth and are not a good candidate for dental implants, you may
consider a dental bridge custom made to fill in the space with a false tooth. The false tooth is attached by the
bridge to the two other teeth around the space - bridging them together.
How is dental bridge accomplished?
Your dentist will prepare your teeth on either
side of the space for the false tooth. You will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the
area and the dentist will remove the an area of each abutment (teeth on either
side of the space) to accommodate for the thickness of the crown. When these teeth already
have fillings part of the filling may be left in place to help as a foundation for the
crown.
Your dentist will then make an impression, which will
serve as the model from which the bridge, false tooth and crowns will be made by a dental
laboratory. A temporary bridge will be placed for you to wear while your bridge is being
made until your next visit. This temporary bridge will serve to protect your teeth and
gums.
Your dentist may have you
use a Flipper appliance. A Flipper is a false tooth to temporarily take
the place of a missing tooth before the permanent bridge is placed. A
Flipper can be attached via either a wire or a plastic piece that fits
in the roof of your mouth. Flippers are meant to be a temporary solution
while awaiting the permanent bridge.
On your second appointment, the temporary bridge will
be removed. Your new permanent bridge will be fitted and checked and adjusted for any bite
discrepancies. Your new bridge will then be cemented to your teeth.
Next: Different
types of dental bridges
- Introduction to dental bridges
- Just what is a dental bridge?
- Who is a candidate for dental bridges?
- Procedure description: Dental Bridges
- Types of dental bridges available
- How much do dental bridges cost?
- Pros and cons of getting a dental bridge
- Before and after pictures - dental bridges
- Personal stories from dental bridge
patients
- Determining the color for your
dental bridge
- Dental bridge message board and discussion
  
|
