A dental bridge can be a great restorative solution for patients who are missing a few teeth. Bridges are aptly named since they bridge the gap between healthy teeth using a combination of dental crowns and artificial teeth.

In situations where you have financial ability, teeth can also be attached to dental implants, and if only one tooth is missing, a dental implant can replace the need for a bridge that spans multiple teeth. Aside from the esthetic benefits, replacing missing teeth is important for preventing bite problems, chewing problems, and jaw pain that can come from a missing tooth.

Before beginning a bridge procedure, Dr. Jamie Talley will ensure that any decay or gum disease has been taken care of and will measure and inspect the area in order to size the bridge appropriately.

PREPERATION

In most cases, the healthy teeth around the missing one/ones will be filed down in preparation for the bridge installation. For this part of the procedure, you will receive a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Dr. Talley will take a mold of the area and send it off to a lab for the creation of a bridge made just to fit your mouth.

You may receive a temporary bridge while the permanent one is being created. The bridge will be placed and secured by either dental cement or through a dental implant. Dr. Talley can discuss with you which option fits your situation best.

After the anesthesia wears off from your dental bridge procedure, you may experience some soreness and a little bleeding from your gums. This soreness should last only a few days, and you may feel sensitive to hot and cold during this time as well. Although the gums may take up to several weeks to completely heal, you should be able to return to normal activities after a few days. However, you should you experience deep pain in your teeth or gums, difficulty or pain in chewing soft foods, breathing problems, or swelling of your tongue or mouth, call Dr. Talley's office. It is also very important to maintain good dental hygiene after your bridge is placed to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Keep up with your dental appointments and avoid biting hard or sticky foods to protect your bridge. Avoiding smoking and sugary or acidic foods can also help keep your dental bridge in good shape and lasting up to 7 years.