Is a Dental Bridge the Right Tooth Replacement for You?

A dental bridge is a restoration that relies on dental crowns and a short or larger row of artificial prosthetic teeth. It is completely customized to each patient so as to ensure a snug fit. Dental bridges have become one of the most popular ways to replace teeth that are missing as they help restore the necessary functions, such as chewing food, smiling, and even speaking properly. However, with all tooth replacement options come the possibility that they might not be suitable for everyone. This article highlights helpful information about dental bridges so that you can make an educated decision about what is best for you.

A guide to dental bridges

Below is a quick overview of dental bridges, including how they are typically used for tooth replacement. Reviewing this information can be quite helpful for those who are looking into the various replacement options.

The dental bridge process

Depending on the type of dental bridge desired, the process may vary slightly. However, generally speaking, the procedure is performed in the following steps:

• 1. A local anesthetic is administered to numb the area that will have the bridge placed.
• 2. The natural teeth that do remain will be reshaped with a dental tool so that the pieces can fit snugly. This reshaping can sometimes be uncomfortable, resulting in sensitivity.
• 3. Impressions are taken so that the dental lab can customize the crowns and prosthetic teeth to snugly fit into the patient’s mouth.
• 4. A temporary bridge is placed as a placeholder for the permanent piece.

A few weeks later, the patient will return to the dental office to have the permanent dental bridge placed and cemented into the mouth.

Other things to keep in mind

When considering a dental bridge for replacing missing teeth, keep in mind a few of the following things:

• Dental bridges take time to adjust to. There will be a period in which the patient has to get comfortable with the piece and it may require some practice when it comes to eating, speaking, and smiling in a comfortable manner.
• Not everyone is a good candidate for a dental bridge. Those with entire arches of missing teeth might be better candidates for implant-supported dentures.
• There is a period of healing that will require the patient to be careful and adjust their eating habits.

Patients can go over these things with the dentist in depth to get a better understanding of what their specific situation is.