Dental Bridges – Brampton, ON

Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?

Dental bridges usually require removing a small portion of your enamel in order to put them in place. However, we’ll be sure to numb your mouth completely before doing this for you, so you can rest assured that you won’t have to deal with any level of discomfort during the treatment.

It’s common for patients to experience a little bit of sensitivity in the days after receiving the dental bridge. It’ll take a little while for your teeth to get used to relying on the dental bridge for protection. After that, you shouldn’t have any problem with discomfort in the long term.

Is a Partial Denture the Same as a Bridge?

While partial dentures are sometimes called removable bridges, this name isn’t quite accurate. Dentures are rarely made of the same materials as dental bridges are—the former is usually acrylic, while the latter is often made of zirconia. Dentures can also replace several teeth along one arch regardless of their position, but dental bridges can only replace consecutive teeth.

Finally, dental bridges require us to remove a small portion of your enamel, while dentures do not. However, the tradeoff is that this gives dental bridges a considerably stronger and more secure bite than dentures. We’ll talk with you about which option we think is best for your needs at your consultation.

How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?

Generally, the longer your dental bridge is, the less stability it has. This is sort of intuitive if you think about it like an actual bridge. The more teeth a bridge replaces, the more pressure it puts on the natural teeth, and the more bite force that the center of the restoration has to endure.

Dental bridges can be used to replace as many as four teeth if your surrounding teeth are healthy. However, it’s much more typical to replace just one or two teeth. Dental bridges are also restricted by the fact that the missing teeth need to be right next to each other, so it’s rare for someone to be in a position to be able to replace more teeth than that. If you’re missing most or all of your teeth, dentures may be a better option for you.

How Do I Clean Under My Dental Bridge?

You’ll usually be able to clean the outside of your dental bridges pretty well with simple brushing, but you’ll also have to clean in the small gap between your restoration and your gums in order to prevent bacterial buildup.

There are a few ways to go about this, and you can experiment with each of them until you find one that works:

• Use a floss threader, which is like a soft plastic sewing needle that can run through small crevices much more easily than floss on its own.
• Use an interdental brush, which is like a small plastic toothpick with a brush on the end of it designed to scrub in between the teeth.
• Use a WaterPik or other oral irrigator, which uses pressurized water to blast away plaque.

Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?

While you may have heard of a “removable bridge,” this is a misnomer that refers to a partial denture that is designed to be taken out by the patient for hygiene purposes. A true dental bridge that remains in good shape should be impossible for you to remove without the help of a qualified dentist such as Dr. Salvaggio. With excellent care, a traditional dental bridge can last up to fifteen years before needing replacement, but an implant bridge can last considerably longer. If you find that you can remove your dental bridge on your own, please schedule an appointment at our office so we can repair or replace your appliance.

How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last?

The overall lifespan of your dental bridge will be determined by a variety of factors. While metal bridges may be slightly more durable than metal-free ones, these devices have similar lifespans and the difference is often negligible. Traditional dental bridges that receive excellent care can last up to fifteen years, but implant bridges can stay functional and beautiful for significantly longer with proper maintenance. Appliances replacing teeth in the back of the mouth usually bear more pressure when chewing, so they may not last as long as those replacing the front teeth.

The most important factor for how long your restoration will last is how well you take care of it, and you can help your device stay in great shape with the following habits:

• Practicing excellent oral hygiene.
• Visiting our office in Brampton every six months for routine exams and cleanings.
• Limiting your intake of sugary, acidic, and starchy foods and beverages.
• Chewing carefully and mindfully.
• Refraining from using your teeth to chew on ice, wood, plastic, or metal or to open packages or bottles.

Can a Dental Bridge Be Whitened?

Dental bridges are not made of natural enamel, so they cannot be affected by teeth whitening treatments. If you need a dental bridge and wish to brighten your smile, it’s probably a great idea to have your teeth whitened before receiving your appliance so the device can be shaded to match the new hue of your grin. The team at Salvaggio Dentistry will be happy to help you understand the best way to achieve the complete and gorgeous smile of your dreams when we see you at our Brampton office for your consultation.