More About Bridges

BRIDGE PROCEDURE IN DETAIL:

A. X-ray of teeth
B. Computer anesthesia (local)
C. Prepare teeth for bridge
D. Retraction cord
E. Impression
F. Temporary bridge
G. Lab fabricates final bridge (two to three weeks)
H. Final bridge cemented onto teeth

First Appointment
The first visit begins with an X-ray of your teeth to ensure a healthy status and a review of your diagnosis and treatment needs. Next, we administer a computerized local anesthetic in the area of the teeth. You can expect to be numb for one to four hours. If your anesthesia should last longer, do not be concerned. Not everyone reacts to medication in the same manner.

Once you are numb, Dr. Harden will conservatively prepare or shape your teeth in a very specific way in order to maximize the retention and esthetics of your new bridge. After the teeth are fully prepared, we place a thin piece of retraction cord around your teeth that allows space for the upcoming impression material to reach the margins of the bridge. The impression cord is removed after several minutes and an impression (mold) of your tooth is made using a modern comfortable tray and a material that is very pleasant to the patient.

Following the impression (mold), we will place a temporary (transitional) bridge over your prepared teeth, which will remain on your teeth for two to three weeks while the lab fabricates your final bridge. This plastic (acrylic) restoration is placed on teeth to protect them from sensitivity and to maintain them in their correct three-dimensional position during the transitional period. The temporary cement used to hold on your temporary bridge is designed to allow easy removal of your temporary at your next scheduled visit.

Instructions about your temporary bridge:

  • Sometimes, a temporary bridge may come off your teeth as a result of the temporary cement. If this should occur, please place the temporary bridge back on your teeth promptly, using a drop of Vaseline™ in the temporary bridge to hold the temporary bridge in place until you can schedule an appointment. Once again, REPLACING THE TEMPORARY BRIDGE PROMPTLY IS VERY IMPORTANT! It only takes a short time for teeth to move if the temporary bridge is not put back into its proper position. This could affect the final restoration significantly and may necessitate new impressions and a great deal of time.
     
  • If you cannot replace the temporary bridge yourself, put it in a safe place and call the office. If your temporary bridge feels loose, we advise you keep it out of your mouth at night to avoid swallowing it. In either case, we will be happy to recement it for you.
     
  • Home care is extremely important while your temporary crown is in place. The health of your gum tissue and the success of your final bridge depend upon it. PLEASE be sure and brush around your temporary and gums every day. Be careful using floss, tooth picks, and irrigation devices because they may cause your temporary bridge to come off. Use common sense. Also, try to chew your food on the opposite side of your temporary bridge. Remember, brush your temporary and gums every day!

If you should you experience any discomfort, you can take a mild analgesic (Tylenol™, Advil™, Anacin™, etc.), as long as there is no medical contraindication based upon your medical history. Typically, you can take anything you would normally take for a headache. If the discomfort persists, please call our Woodstock dental office.

Second Appointment
Your second appointment is a relatively short visit. First, we will ask you how your teeth felt while in the temporary. This is important information. If any teeth had deep decay, a deep filling, or a fracture and felt sensitive while in the temporary bridge, we may decide to seat your final bridge using temporary cement (rather than final cement) to evaluate it further.

If your teeth felt fine while in your temporary, which is almost always the case, your temporary bridge is gently removed, and the temporary cement is cleaned from your teeth. We evaluate the esthetics with you to ensure you like the color, shape, and look of your new bridge (front teeth or back teeth). Next, we fit the bridge so it functions and feels like a natural teeth. An X-ray of each anchor tooth is taken to ensure the lab fabricated your bridge with a perfect fit. If all of these factors are acceptable to you and to us, the bridge is cemented on your teeth using final cement. Your teeth may feel mildly sensitive to cold temperatures for a few weeks. This is not uncommon. However, if the sensitivity is significant and does not subside, or if the bite feels uncomfortable, we recommend you contact us. Further adjustments to the bridge may be necessary.

We hope that this brief description provides you insight to bridge procedures and answers any questions you may have had. Fountain View Dentistry takes great pride in delivering the finest health care possible utilizing patient-friendly technology, amazing staff that always exceed your expectations, and doctors that take time to explain treatment and make you feel comfortable. “Come to the Dentist and Relax”! If you have any questions regarding a bridge procedure or any other procedure, please contact us at (770) 926-0000.

New Patients Always Welcome. To experience distinctly different dental care, call today and reserve your appointment with Dr. Harden and our wonderful staff. Fountain View Dentistry serves the Woodstock, Acworth, Canton, Kennesaw, and Marietta communities with general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry for all ages.

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