What to Expect When You Visit Your Dentist for a Dental Bridge

Have you lost one or more of your teeth? If so, then your dentist may recommend that you get a bridge to restore your dental function. There are several things that you can expect when you visit your dentist for a dental bridge in Westlake.

Planning Your Treatment

To begin the process, your dentist will first perform a full examination of your mouth to determine if you are a good candidate for a dental bridge. This may involve ensuring the health of your gums and teeth, as well as taking X-rays. Once your dentist confirms that a dental bridge is a suitable restorative option for your smile, he will develop a treatment plan that suits your individual needs.

Preparing the Site

The structure of a dental bridge involves 2 dental crowns and one or more replacement teeth. The dental crowns are designed to attach to the 2 teeth on either side of the gap in your smile, which are referred to as the abutment teeth. The replacement tooth is suspended in between the 2 crowns, forming a single restoration that bridges the gap left by the missing tooth. When you see your dentist for a dental bridge, he will start the treatment by preparing the abutment teeth, which is a step that involves removing enough of their structure to allow a dental crown to be placed over them. Once this is complete, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth that will be used to create the dental bridge. To protect the area while you wait for the bridge to be ready, your dentist will provide you with a temporary bridge.

Placing the Bridge

Once your permanent dental bridge is ready, you will return to the dentist. During this visit, your dentist will remove the temporary bridge from your teeth. Then, he will check the fit of the new bridge and, in some cases, the process of getting a good fit may require more than one appointment. Once the fitting stage is finished, your dental bridge treatment will be complete.