Dental bridges fill gaps left behind by tooth loss. The bridge is anchored to natural teeth on either side of the gap with crowns, or may be anchored with titanium implants at either end. Whichever type of bridge you opt for, that bridge holds and supports replacement that restore your dental function and your smile. A well maintained dental bridge will keep your secret — that you ever lost any teeth — safe and close.
Being fit for dental bridges in Delta is extremely common and very straightforward. If you’re considering a bridge — whether anchored by crowns or dental implants — we want you to know what to expect after the bridge has been put in place. Here are several common questions we receive from patients who have received crowns, along with the best answers available.
If you have a question or concern that is not addressed here, don’t hesitate to reach out to a dental clinic in Delta. Let us know you’re considering a dental bridge, and we’d be happy to talk you through any questions or concerns.
What will it feel like after I get my bridge?
Depending on how long you’ve been living with a gap in your jaw and the implications of your tooth loss, it may be entirely commonplace and familiar by now. There’s no hiding the fact that preparing your mouth, jaw, and teeth for a bridge and then placing this new restoration in your mouth will cause some changes. What will you notice? Many patients who have received dental bridges in Delta describe some tooth sensitivity, soreness when biting, changes in the way it feels when they bite, changes to the way their mouth feels generally, and even some challenge when speaking.
But what else do they report? That those sensations are temporary, and that they come along with the secure knowledge that the gap in their jaw has been filled, full dental function has been restored, and that they no longer need to be concerned with the risk of distortions in the jaw and bit as a result of teeth’s natural tendency to twist and move into gaps.
How long is the adjustment process?
Most people notice improvements in all the areas mentioned above with every passing day after receiving their bridge. Usually by the end of a two week period, the adjustments are complete and the presence of the bridge in their mouth is the new — and fully functional — normal.
If my teeth are sensitive after getting my bridge, what can I do about it?
There are four key tips to responding to natural, common, and temporary tooth sensitivity after being fit with a dental bridge.
- Avoid hot and cold foods for a while, since heat and cold can trigger sensitivity. For the first few days after being fit with a bridge, prioritize lukewarm and room temperature meals.
- Avoid hard and crunchy foods for a while, since the pressure they place on your bridge can cause some discomfort for the first few days. Once your adjustment period is complete, though, bring back the potato chips.
- Brush with toothpaste for sensitive teeth for a few days, and use the same toothpaste to clean your bridge.
- If you do find the initial discomfort of your bridge to be distracting, use over-the-counter pain medications as directed.
We hope these answers to common questions help you to understand what the first days of living with a new dental bridge in Delta will feel like. Dental bridges are an ideal solution for many people’s tooth loss, and most people adapt to them quickly and without any concerns. We can help to ensure your experience is the very same.