Dental Bridges
Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges Dental Office
A dental bridge is a restorative structure used to replace missing teeth. Dental bridges consist of one or more false teeth (pontics) held in place by fixtures attached to the surrounding teeth. Dental bridges fall into two main categories: ‘fixed’ and removable partial dentures.
Fixed bridges are cemented in place and cannot be taken out afterward. Removable Partial Dentures are not permanently attached and are removed at night or for cleaning purposes. The other tooth replacement option is a dental implant.
Missing teeth are a common dental problem that can lead to serious oral health complications further down the road if they are not replaced. If you are embarrassed to show off your pearly whites because of a missing tooth or are concerned about the restorative repair cost that will go into this treatment.
Philadelphia wellness expert Dr. Renee Yurovsky is the woman for you! For your benefit, you must speak to the doctor as soon as possible; delaying services can have a detrimental impact on your smile’s health and function. For example, when a tooth is missing from the dental arch, the existing teeth may shift out of place in response to the gap.
Dental bridges can dramatically improve your teeth’ appearance by replacing teeth that are missing or that need to be extracted. The materials used to create the dental bridge are custom-made to match your natural teeth’ color while providing comparable structural support.
Adult teeth may be lost as a consequence of a variety of causes. These include issues such as advanced periodontal disease, trauma, and tooth decay. When a missing tooth is not replaced, your other teeth can start to drift out of position. The area also becomes more susceptible to gum disease and decay of the surrounding teeth.
Fixed Dental Bridge
Traditional Fixed Dental Bridge
A traditional fixed dental bridge comprises a whole artificial tooth with crowns attached to either side. These crowns are cemented over the teeth next to the missing tooth and hold the artificial tooth in the place where your missing tooth had previously been. Bridges are custom-made to look just like natural teeth and fit your bite.
Resin-Bonded Dental Bridge
In some cases, fixed dental bridges may be anchored using resin and metal bands instead of crowns; this may be appropriate when the abutment teeth are healthy, well anchored, and free of fillings. Metal anchors are affixed to the abutment teeth using a strong resin in this case. The artificial tooth is then anchored to these bands.
Procedure for Fixed Bridge
The teeth next to the space will be reduced so that the area can receive the crown portion of the dental bridge. After this, an impression of the whole site (the missing area and the two adjacent teeth next to it) will be made.
This impression is sent to a dental lab, and a dental bridge is custom-designed to fit the area. Just as with the placement of a dental crown, a temporary dental bridge will be put in place to protect your teeth and gums while the dental restoration is being constructed.
Post-Operative Instructions
Post-Op Instructions
For Dental Crowns & Bridges
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Be sure to avoid chewing if anesthesia has been used to numb your lips, gums, or tongue. Injury can result in the hours after the procedure while the anesthetic wears off if you attempt to chew normally.
Normal reactions to these procedures include gum tenderness and sensitivity to hot, cold, and pressure. Sensitivity will increase with the invasiveness of the procedure. These symptoms should go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, the sensitivity will last longer than a couple of weeks, but this is not a cause for concern as long as your gums and teeth progressively feel better.
We recommend ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory. It will help reduce the inflammation in the affected area and help eliminate sensitivity if taken as indicated. However, if the pain and sensitivity continue for longer than a couple of weeks or worsen over time, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office to set up a follow-up appointment.
Temporary Dental Crowns or Dental Bridge
The temporary Dental Crown or bridge must remain on your tooth until Dr. Yurovsky seats your permanent crown. Please call the office immediately if the temporary crown becomes loose or comes off at any time. Your tooth can shift within a few hours if your temporary crown is missing, which can inhibit and delay the placement of your permanent crown. You may also experience sensitivity if your temporary comes off.
Please carefully replace your temporary and call the office if your temporary comes off or becomes loose. It is possible to replace it correctly because it only fits one way.
Please avoid hard and chewy foods, such as ice, hard candy, gum, and taffy, as these may pull your temporary bridge off the prepared tooth.
Flossing is an integral part of caring for your temporary bridge. Please release one end of the floss and pull it through the side of the tooth instead of pulling it up between your teeth.
If the anesthesia has worn off and your bite feels uneven, please call the office immediately. This imbalance with your bite may cause further discomfort and should be adjusted.
