Dental Bridge Process: Steps, Benefits, and What to Expect

Having a missing tooth can be a real hassle, can’t it? Maybe you’ve lost a tooth from an accident, gum disease, or just a really stubborn cavity. Whatever the reason, that gap can make you feel a bit self-conscious when you smile and even make eating certain foods a bit tricky. Luckily, there are some great ways to fill those gaps, and one of the most common and effective is a “dental bridge.”

You might have heard the term before, or your dentist in Engadine mentioned it. But what exactly is a dental bridge? And what’s involved in getting one? Don’t worry, we’re going to walk through everything in simple terms, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Dental Bridge

Imagine a bridge that goes over a river. It connects one side to the other. A dental bridge works in a very similar way inside your mouth. It’s a bit like a mini-bridge that literally “bridges” the gap left by one or more missing teeth.

A dental bridge is made up of a few parts:

• The Replacement Tooth (or Teeth): The false tooth (or teeth) sits in the gap. Dentists call this a “pontic.” It’s usually made from materials like porcelain, which looks just like your natural teeth, or sometimes from metal, or a mix of both.
• The Crowns: On either side of the replacement tooth, there are special caps called “crowns.” These crowns are fitted over your natural teeth (or sometimes dental implants) that are next to the gap. These natural teeth act as the “anchors” or “abutments” for the bridge, holding the replacement tooth firmly in place.

In simple terms, a dental bridge is a row of connected crowns and false teeth that fills a gap, using the teeth on either side of the gap for support. It’s designed to look and feel like your own teeth, giving you back your smile and the ability to chew properly.

The Benefits of a Dental Bridge

So, why would you choose a dental bridge? Well, there are heaps of good reasons!

1. Get Your Smile Back! This is a big one. A missing tooth can really affect your confidence. A dental bridge fills that gap, giving you a complete smile you’ll be proud to show off. You won’t have to hide your mouth when you laugh or talk anymore.
2. Chew Your Food Properly: Eating with a missing tooth can be painful. Food can get stuck, and it can be hard to bite and chew. A dental bridge restores your chewing power, making meal times much more enjoyable. You can go back to eating your favourite foods without a worry.
3. Keep Your Other Teeth in Place: When you have a gap, the teeth on either side can start to drift or tilt into the empty space. This can mess up your bite and lead to other dental problems down the track. A dental bridge acts like a barrier, holding your existing teeth in their correct positions.
4. Speak More Clearly: Missing teeth, especially front teeth, can sometimes affect how you pronounce words. Filling the gap with a bridge can help you speak more clearly and confidently.
5. Maintain Your Face Shape: Believe it or not, your teeth help support the structure of your face. When you lose teeth, your jawbone can start to shrink, and your face might look a bit different over time. A dental bridge helps to maintain the natural shape of your face.
6. A Long-Lasting Solution: Dental bridges are built to last. With good care, they can serve you well for many, many years – often 5 to 15 years, and sometimes even longer! We’ll talk more about how long they last a bit later.
7. Is a dental bridge permanent? While not permanently fixed in the sense that it can never be removed (your dentist can remove it if needed), it is a fixed solution. Once cemented in, it’s not something you take in and out like a denture. It stays in your mouth all the time, just like your natural teeth. So, in everyday terms, yes, it feels permanent.

Overall, a dental bridge is a fantastic way to improve your oral health, your appearance, and your quality of life.

The Dental Bridge Process: Step-by-Step

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: the dental bridge process. Getting a dental bridge usually involves two main visits to your dentist, sometimes three, depending on your situation. Your dentist Engadine will explain each step clearly.

Visit 1: Getting Ready

1. Checking Things Out: Your dentist will first perform a thorough check-up. They’ll examine the gap where your tooth is missing and examine the teeth on either side. These teeth are super important because they’ll be supporting the bridge. They need to be strong and healthy. Your dentist might also take X-rays to better examine your jawbone and roots.
2. Preparing the “Anchor” Teeth: This is a crucial step for the dental bridge procedure. To make space for the crowns that will sit on top, your dentist will need to gently reshape the natural teeth on either side of the gap. This involves carefully removing a small amount of enamel from all around the tooth. Don’t worry, they’ll use local anaesthetic (a numbing injection) so you won’t feel a thing. It’s similar to preparing a tooth for a regular crown.
3. Taking Impressions: Once your teeth are prepared, your dentist will take impressions (moulds) of your mouth. This is usually done with a soft, putty-like material that you bite into, or sometimes with a special digital scanner. These impressions are super accurate 3D models of your teeth. They are then sent off to a dental lab.
4. The Dental Lab’s Job: At the dental lab, skilled technicians use your impressions to custom-make your dental bridge. They work with precision to ensure your bridge fits perfectly, looks natural, and matches the colour of your other teeth. This process usually takes about one to two weeks.
5. Temporary Bridge: While your permanent bridge is being made, your dentist won’t leave you with gaps or sensitive teeth. They’ll fit you with a temporary bridge. This temporary bridge protects your prepared teeth, keeps your bite stable, and helps you chew and speak comfortably until your next appointment. It’s usually made from a softer material and is just held in place with a temporary cement, so it’s easy to remove later.

Visit 2: Fitting Your Permanent Bridge (The Dental Bridge Fitting)

1. Removing the Temporary: When you come back for your second visit, your dentist will first carefully remove your temporary bridge.
2. Trying On the New Bridge: Now for the exciting part! Your dentist will carefully place your new, custom-made permanent bridge into your mouth. They’ll check the fit very closely – how it sits on your prepared teeth, how your bite feels, and if the colour matches your other teeth. They might make tiny adjustments at this stage to ensure it’s absolutely perfect.
3. Final Cementing: Once everyone (you and your dentist!) is happy with the fit and appearance, your dentist will permanently cement the bridge onto your prepared teeth using a strong, special dental adhesive. This bond is very powerful, making the bridge a stable and fixed part of your mouth.

Sometimes, a dentist might use temporary cement first to let you “test drive” the bridge for a few days before permanently cementing it. This is a good option if you have any doubts about the fit or feel. If this happens, you’d have a third, quick visit for the final cementing.

What to Expect During the Procedure

It’s normal to feel a bit nervous before dental work. Understanding what’s happening can really help.

• Numbing: Your dentist will use a local anaesthetic to prepare your teeth. This means you’ll feel some pressure and movement but no sharp pain. Your mouth will feel numb for a few hours after the appointment.
• Sounds: During the preparation, you’ll hear the sound of the dental drill, which can be a bit noisy, but it’s nothing to worry about.
• Impressions: Taking impressions is quick and easy. Some people find the material a bit odd in their mouth, but it sets quickly. If you’re prone to gagging, let your dentist know, as they have techniques to help.
• Temporary Bridge: The temporary bridge will feel a bit different from your natural teeth and might not be as strong. It’s important to be gentle with it—avoid very sticky or hard foods.
• After Cementing: Once your permanent bridge is cemented, it might feel a little unusual for the first day or two, simply because it’s a new addition to your mouth. You might notice a slight difference in your bite, but this usually settles down quickly as you get used to it. If anything feels seriously off or if you have persistent pain, always contact your dentist.

Overall, the dental bridge procedure is quite straightforward and is a very common dental treatment. Your comfort is always the priority.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

This is a common question, and it’s a good one! A well-cared-for dental bridge can last a long time. Generally, you can expect a dental bridge to last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, and sometimes even longer, especially if it’s made from high-quality materials and you look after it properly.

Several things affect how long your bridge will last:

• Oral Hygiene: This is perhaps the biggest factor. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily are absolutely critical. Food particles and plaque can still get trapped under and around the bridge, leading to decay in the supporting teeth or gum disease. If the supporting teeth get unhealthy, the bridge won’t have a strong foundation and can fail.
• Material of the Bridge: Bridges made from stronger materials like porcelain fused to metal or zirconia tend to be more durable.
• Bite and Chewing Habits: If you grind your teeth (bruxism) or clench your jaw, this can put extra stress on your bridge and shorten its lifespan. Your dentist can help with a night guard if needed. Avoiding chewing on very hard foods (like ice, hard lollies, or unpopped popcorn kernels) is also a good idea.
• Overall Oral Health: If you regularly visit your dentist for check-ups and cleans, any potential issues with your bridge or surrounding teeth can be caught early and addressed.
• Quality of the Initial Work: A bridge that was expertly designed and fitted by an experienced dentist from the start is more likely to last.

Think of it like a new car – if you service it regularly and drive it carefully, it will last much longer!

Aftercare for Dental Bridges

So, you’ve got your shiny new dental bridge. Fantastic! Now, how do you make sure it lasts as long as possible? It’s quite simple and very similar to how you care for your natural teeth.

1. Brush Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush gently around the bridge and the teeth supporting it.
2. Floss Daily (Crucial!): This is super important for bridges. A regular piece of floss won’t go between the false tooth and the gums (because it’s all one piece). You’ll need special tools to clean under the pontic (the false tooth).
   • Floss Threaders: These are small, plastic loops that help you thread regular floss under the bridge’s false tooth and bring it up on the other side. Then, you can use the floss to clean the area.
   • Interdental Brushes: These tiny brushes can fit into small spaces between teeth and under your bridge to remove food particles and plaque.
   • Water Flossers (Oral Irrigators): These devices use a stream of water to dislodge food and plaque and can be very effective for cleaning under bridges. Your dentist can show you the best way to use these tools.
3. Regular Dental Check-ups and Cleans: Don’t skip these! Your dentist and dental hygienist can spot any issues with your bridge or the supporting teeth early on. They can also give your bridge and teeth a professional clean, removing any built-up plaque or tartar that you might have missed.
4. Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods: As mentioned earlier, try to avoid biting directly into very hard foods (like ice or hard nuts) and extremely sticky lollies, as these can put undue stress on your bridge.
5. Address Teeth Grinding: Talk to your dentist if you grind your teeth at night. They might recommend a custom-made night guard to protect your bridge (and your other teeth) from excessive forces.

By following these simple aftercare steps, you’ll be giving your dental bridge the best chance to last for many years.

When to Consider a Dental Bridge vs. Other Options

A dental bridge is a great tooth replacement with bridges option, but it’s not the only one. Sometimes, other solutions might be better for you. Your dentist will discuss all the pros and cons based on your individual situation.

Here are the main alternatives to consider:

1. Dental Implants
   • What it is: A dental implant is like an artificial tooth root, usually a small screw made of titanium, that’s surgically placed into your jawbone. Once it heals and fuses with the bone, a crown (a single false tooth) is attached to it.
   • Pros: Considered the “gold standard” for tooth replacement. They don’t require preparing adjacent teeth (like a bridge does). They look and feel very natural and can last a lifetime with proper care. They also help preserve your jawbone.
   • Cons: Can be more expensive initially. It’s a surgical procedure and takes longer (several months) for the implant to heal and integrate with the bone before the crown can be placed. Not everyone is a candidate (requires good bone density).
   • When to consider: If you have healthy gums and enough jawbone, and you want the most durable and independent solution, an implant might be ideal.
2. Removable Partial Denture
   • What it is: This is a removable appliance with artificial teeth attached to a plastic or metal base. It clasps onto your existing teeth. You take it out for cleaning while sleeping.
   • Pros: Generally, the least expensive option. Less invasive (no tooth preparation or surgery).
   • Cons: Not as stable or comfortable as a bridge or implant. Can feel bulky. Might affect speech or eating initially. Needs to be removed for cleaning. Some people find the clasps unsightly.
   • When to consider: If you’re looking for a very economical option, or if you’re not a candidate for a bridge or implant due to other health issues or bone loss.

So, when is a dental bridge typically the best choice?

• If you have healthy teeth on either side of the gap: These “anchor” teeth are essential for a bridge. If they are weak or already have large fillings, a bridge might not be the best option.
• If you want a fixed solution but implants aren’t suitable: Maybe you don’t have enough jawbone for an implant, or you prefer not to have surgery. A bridge offers a great fixed alternative.
• If the adjacent teeth already need crowns: If the teeth next to the gap are already heavily filled or damaged and would benefit from crowns anyway, then incorporating them into a bridge makes a lot of sense.
• If you’re looking for a quicker fixed solution than an implant: The bridge process is generally faster than the implant process from start to finish.

Your dentist will explain all these options in detail, considering your oral health, budget, and preferences, to help you make the best decision for your unique situation.

Conclusion

Losing a tooth can be a bummer, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your perfect smile. As we’ve seen, a dental bridge is a fantastic, reliable, and long-lasting way to replace missing teeth, restore your chewing ability, prevent other teeth from shifting, and boost your confidence.

While the dental bridge process involves a couple of visits to your dentist, it is straightforward and designed to give you a natural-looking and functional result. With good home care and regular check-ups, your bridge can serve you well for many years, helping you smile, eat, and speak with ease.

If you have a gap in your smile and you’re wondering if a dental bridge is right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Ready to Get Your Smile Back?

Contact your friendly dentist in Engadine, All About Dental, today for a consultation! We can assess your specific needs and help you decide if a dental bridge or another tooth replacement option is the best solution for you. 

Book your appointment and take the first step towards a complete, confident smile!