The bridge relies on the surrounding teeth for support and typically consists of two dental
crowns on these supporting teeth with an artificial tooth in the center to fill in the gap of your
missing tooth.

For people who have lost teeth due to trauma, decay, or gum disease, a dental bridge can
prevent the remaining teeth in your mouth from shifting into the gap left from the missing
teeth.

If you and your dentist decide a dental bridge is your best option to replace missing teeth, what
can you expect during and after the procedure?

First Visit: Preparing Teeth

During your first visit for your dental bridge, your dentist will need to prepare the auxiliary
teeth for the device by removing a small amount of tooth enamel and reshaping the teeth.
These are teeth that will receive dental crowns in order to support the bridge.

During this appointment, your dentist will use local anesthesia. If you have anxiety about the
procedure and would prefer a different type of sedation, you can talk with your dentist [1].

Next, your dentist will take an impression of the area receiving the restoration and send the
impression to the lab to make your dental bridge. Based on this impression and your natural
teeth color, your bridge should match your teeth perfectly.

Before you leave the office, you’ll be fitted with a temporary bridge until your permanent one is
ready.

Second Visit: Permanent Restoration

Once your dental bridge has arrived, you’ll visit your dentist a second time to remove your
temporary bridge and place the final restoration. Dental bridges aren’t removeable, so your
dentist will use a permanent solution to fit the bridge in your mouth [2].

You may receive a professional teeth cleaning before your permanent bridge to ensure bacteria
won’t be trapped underneath the restoration. Your dentist will also want to ensure the bridge
fits properly, so you may need to come in one final time to confirm the fit is comfortable.

After: Caring for Your Dental Bridge

You’ll be able to resume your normal activities once completing the procedure for your dental
bridge, unless you received local anesthesia during your bridge placement, in which case you’ll
need to avoid eating or drinking until the numbness goes away.

You’ll need time to adjust to your new restoration in regards to speaking, eating, and drinking.
However, your normal oral care habits will stay the same, including brushing and flossing,
visiting your dentist, and eating a healthy diet.

A dental bridge can last for ten years or longer with proper care, so be sure to care for your new
restoration!

Getting a dental bridge can help you avoid teeth shifting after tooth loss and restore the
function of your smile. If you’re missing teeth, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your
dentist to discuss your options for replacing them. A dental bridge could be right for you!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/a/anesthesia-and-sedation
2. https://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/patient-care-definitions

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