A dental bridge is a replacement for missing teeth. The most common type of bridge is a “traditional” bridge. In this treatment, two healthy teeth next to your missing tooth are trimmed, and then a bridge is made that consists of two porcelain dental crowns with a false tooth in the middle.
This bridge is permanently attached to your trimmed teeth, and the false tooth between the crowns fills up the area where your missing tooth used to be. Dental bridges are a good choice for some people with missing teeth. They are cheaper than dental implants, but will not shift and do not have to be removed, unlike partial dentures. To find out if a bridge in Austin is right for you, contact Austin Dental Company today for a consultation with Dr. Bonner Morren.
To begin the process, you will come into Austin Dental Company for a consultation with Dr. Bonner Morren. He will discuss your options for restorative dentistry with you, and help you decide if a bridge is the right choice.
If you are approved for a bridge, you’ll come back for a follow-up. At this appointment, Dr. Morren will trim your teeth, then take molds of your bite and your teeth. These will be sent to a lab where your bridge will be made.
You will have a set of temporary crowns attached to your teeth before you go home. These will protect your teeth while your bridge is made. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for your bridge to be built and sent back to Austin Dental Company.
Once your bridge arrives at our office, you will come back to our office one last time. Dr. Morren will double-check the bridge to make sure it fits properly. Then, he will attach it permanently with dental adhesive, completing the procedure.
For the most part, you can treat your bridge just like a natural tooth. Brush twice a day with fluoride, and see Dr. Bonner Morren for a consultation every six months.
However, you will need to make some changes when flossing. You can floss your teeth normally, but you will need to floss underneath your dental bridge to ensure you clean it properly. This may take a bit of practice, and you may want to use floss tape, a flat type of dental floss that’s more effective for cleaning under dental bridges.
In addition to this, Dr. Morren may also recommend that you purchase an “interdental brush.” These are very thin toothbrushes that can easily clean in tight spaces, such as the gap between your bridge and your gums.
