Everyone dreads it happening.
You’re eating something hard, or you happen to take a slip and fall, and when it’s all said and done you see something white on the ground.
At first it looks like a pebble but you quickly realize it’s your tooth.
What do you do next? Well, odds are that you may need a dental bridge but we’re sure you have some questions.
What is a dental bridge? How much do they cost? How long does a dental bridge last?
Read on with us and we’ll answer all your questions!
What Is A Dental Bridge
When you lose a tooth, or have a gap between teeth, a dental bridge is the most common solution. A dental bridge is essentially a fake tooth that is used to fill in the gap and help to restore the tooth that’s missing.
There are 4 main types of bridges and your dentist will decide which option is best for your given situation.
How Does It Work
Good news! Getting a dental bridge installed in your mouth is a non-surgical procedure. Some people are still uneasy about the process or just don’t like going to the dentist. We understand, and if this is the case for you, your dentist will be able to provide mild sedation to help get you through the process.
The process of installing the bridge starts with mild anesthetic and numbing jelly being used on the patient’s gum. The jelly will go on first to minimize the pain of the anesthetic shot and then the real work begins.
The process starts with our dental team taking measurements and imprints of your mouth. This helps to achieve proper fit and comfort.
If your teeth are exposed, or at risk of being damaged further, we may provide you with temporary crowns while your bridge is being made. During the actual procedure, these temporary crowns will be removed and our dental team will apply the cement that will hold your shiny, new bridge in place.
One of the advantages of dental bridges is that recovery is minimal. You can normally eat food as soon as the bridge gets placed in your mouth!
How Long Does A Dental Bridge Last?
Now that you’ve gone through all of the trouble of having this bridge installed, you’re probably wondering: how long does a dental bridge last? First, we’d like to say that it will depend on how well you care for it. You should be brushing twice a day, flossing, cleaning between and underneath your bridge, and having scheduled visits with your dentist to keep an eye on it.
If you’re doing all that, your bridge will last you anywhere between 5 and 15 years.
A Lot To Chew On
We’ve given you a lot of information here today and we hope you found it helpful. Addressing how long does a dental bridge last, in addition to the other information we’ve covered, is very important.
Our hope is that we’ve shown you the benefits of dental bridges, and made them seem a lot less scary. They truly are a great tooth repair option.
If you have any more questions about dental bridges, or other procedures, talk to our team today. We’d be happy to help!
