A dental bridge is made up of usually two, but sometimes more, crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap in your mouth. these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants. With dental bridges, Spring Hill Residents can restore their smile as well as their ability to speak and chew properly.
What Happens at the Dentist Office?
During the first visit for a patient getting a dental bridge, the abutment teeth are prepared in the office. Preparation involves recontouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. Next, impressions of the teeth are made, which serve as a model from which the bridge, pontic, and crowns will be made by a dental lab. Your dentist will make a temporary bridge to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the bridge is being made. If patients take care of their bridges, Spring Hill residents can expect them to last anywhere from five years up to fifteen years on average, sometimes longer!
Is That All They Do?
During the patient’s next visit, their temporary bridge will be removed and the new porcelain or metal bridge will be checked, monitored, and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit. Multiple visits afterwards may be required to check the fit of the metal framework and bite. This is dependent on each individual’s case. If the dental bridge is a fixed bridge, your dentist may temporarily cement it in place for a couple of weeks to make sure it is fitting properly. After a couple weeks, the bridge is cemented into place. After a patient has gotten their dental bridges, Spring Hill residents should take care of them in order to make them last!
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Anchor Dental Care*