A bridge is used to replace one or two teeth, anchoring the prosthetic teeth by attaching them to crowns. The crowns are placed on adjacent teeth and require those teeth to be restructured to make room for them. Bridges can also be anchored with wires.
Preparing Your Mouth for a Bridge
If your dentist recommends a bridge for tooth replacement, the first step is to prepare the adjacent teeth to receive dental crowns. A mold is made of the tooth before it is altered. Some of the tooth must be removed to make room for the crown. The dentist uses special tools to reduce the size of the tooth, then takes a mold of the altered tooth. These molds, used together, determine the shape of both the inside and outside of the crown.
The crown itself, as well as the prosthetic tooth that will be attached to it, is made at an offsite lab and will take a few days to complete. The crown and the replacement tooth are constructed in a single piece, which is then secured in place with a powerful adhesive. The bridge can be constructed of tooth-colored materials such as porcelain, matched to the colors of your natural teeth, or can be made of metal bonded with a tooth-colored material. After the bridge is set in place, your dentist will adjust it and make any necessary alterations to be sure it’s comfortable. If you experience any discomfort with your bridge, see your dentist, as it might require further adjustments.
Caring for a Crown and Bridge
Your new crown and bridge can be brushed and cleaned along with your other teeth. Be careful not to bite on hard objects that could chip or break the porcelain. Your new teeth and your crowns are relatively stain-resistant, so they might appear to be lighter over time in comparison to your other teeth. If this occurs, you can have your other teeth whitened to lighten their shade.
Contact our office today to discuss your crown options!