You may be missing one tooth or more. A space in your smile may cause many problems. You have two options to correct it: dental implants or a dental bridge. While not as long-lasting as dental implants, bridges provide our patients with a good tooth replacement option. Dr. Lenny Slepchik offers dental bridges in his downtown Montreal practice.
What Is A Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is exactly that — it simply bridges the gap created by a missing tooth or several missing teeth. Dental bridges are single-piece prosthetics that consist of two crowns on top of teeth on each side of the gap; a tooth (or teeth ) is fabricated to replace the missing teeth. The crowns serve as anchors.
Implant Supported Bridge
When teeth are lost today, the treatment of choice is an implant-supported crown or bridge (when more than one tooth is lost).
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Who Is A Good Candidate For A Dental Bridge?
This treatment can successfully replace between one and three consecutive teeth. For restorative dental work to achieve the best results, patients should be in reasonably good health, including oral health. If the patient has gum disease, this condition will be treated first to control the infection or inflammation.
A dental bridge also requires sufficiently strong teeth to support the artificial tooth. A traditional dental bridge sits between two natural teeth covered with crowns to anchor the pontic or pontics in the middle. In some cases, it may be appropriate to place a cantilever bridge. This restoration is attached to only one tooth, with the pontic situated at the very back of the mouth.
What Are The Benefits Of A Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is an excellent option to restore your smile's appearance after tooth loss. In addition, a dental bridge is necessary to maintain the structure and alignment of teeth. By filling the space, a dental bridge prevents surrounding teeth from moving. With the artificial tooth in place, the dental bridge also supports chewing and biting in a way that evenly distributes the force of energy across the full arch of teeth.
Reasons To Choose A Dental Bridge
Many people choose not to replace a missing tooth, especially if the missing tooth is a molar. This is a bad idea. Your teeth stay in place due to the pressure placed upon them by the adjacent teeth on each side. When a tooth (or teeth) are missing, so is that pressure. Then, the teeth tend to move over into the gap. This affects your appearance and creates serious alignment and bite issues.
Keep in mind when you bite and chew, a tremendous amount of bite-force energy is created. This energy transfers through the teeth down into the jawbone. This energy signals the jawbone to continually shed old cells and produce new bone mass, which is the basis of a healthy jawbone. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone beneath the gap immediately begins to erode.
Why Dr. Slepchik may suggest a bridge for your dental treatment:
- To prevent tooth movement
- To restore chewing and biting in the area
- To distribute your bite across various teeth
- To allow you to speak clearly
- To maintain jawbone health
- To complete your smile
What Our Patients Say
"The most wonderful and experienced dentist you will ever meet. Always there for you, but most of all he is a wonderful human being. His staff are all equally amazing. Thanks for your smiles and warm welcome. This team is really 5 stars… Amazing."
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Dental Bridge Process With Dr. Slepchik
Placing a bridge with Dr. Slepchik requires two appointments. During the first appointment, we prepare the abutment teeth for their crowns and take measurements and photos for your bridge. To prepare the teeth, Dr. Slepchik shaves off a portion of the healthy teeth on all sides and the top. This makes room for the crowns to sit atop the teeth, covering them all the way down to the gum line. Next, we take precise impressions and photos of your teeth with Itero, our digital impression system. This is sent to the dental lab to create your custom bridge. This process takes two weeks, so, in the meantime, you wear a temporary bridge on your prepared teeth. Your smile looks natural. No one would know it is not your real teeth unless you tell them.
You return here to cement your bridge when we receive it from our lab. Dr. Slepchik verifies that the bridge fits properly and the colour matches your adjacent teeth. He’ll adjust the fit according to your feedback. He may sometimes place the bridge with temporary cement to allow you to see how it feels for a few days of normal use. Once you’re satisfied with the fit, the bridge is permanently cemented onto your teeth. You can use your bridge immediately.
Is The Dental Bridge Procedure Painful?
Getting a dental bridge is a quick and painless process. A gentle computerized injection numbs the area being treated. This prevents discomfort as he uses a small dental instrument to prepare the dental crowns. The second visit, when the bridge is permanently cemented, may occur without needing any anesthetic.
Types Of Tooth Bridge Options Offered Here
There are two types of dental bridges that Dr. Slepchik offers to his patients:
Traditional bridge — This is the tooth bridge described at the top of the page, consisting of two crowned abutment teeth with a false tooth or teeth between them. These are the most common dental bridges. Dr. Slepchik uses all porcelain for the crowns and the false tooth to get a beautiful, natural result.
Cantilever bridge — In cases where the missing tooth or teeth have adjacent teeth on only one side of the gap, a cantilever bridge is used.
Is Recovery Needed From The Dental Bridge Procedure?
The initial appointment in the dental bridge process involves prepping two teeth for dental crowns. These teeth are reduced so crowns fit against the gums as well as opposing and adjacent teeth. Reduction may result in short-lived tooth sensitivity and soreness.
Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect that can be managed with the following remedies:
- Avoid hot and cold foods. Temperature changes are a trigger for the nerves at the center of teeth. Sticking to more tepid, lukewarm foods and beverages for a few days can help improve your comfort.
- Avoid crunchy and hard foods. Discomfort can occur when pressure is placed on the bridge during its integration phase.
- You can resume your regular diet once you’ve adjusted to your bridge. This usually takes only a few days.
- Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. The reduction of the teeth that anchor the bridge may lead to sensitivity. While this is ongoing, you may alleviate it with specially formulated toothpaste.
- Take over-the-counter pain relief if necessary. Some patients take a mild pain reliever for a few days to manage their discomfort while they get used to their new bridge.
A bridge may cause soreness when biting down, a change in the feel of the bite, or a general change in the feel of the mouth. A new bridge may also cause a minor change in speech until the tongue and muscles of the cheeks get accustomed to the new structure. This usually lasts no more than a week.
How Long Will A Dental Bridge Last?
Your dental bridge's lifespan depends on the health of the abutment teeth and your jawbone. If you are diligent about your dental hygiene and professional dental cleanings and exams with Dr. Slepchik and your dental hygienist, your bridge should last 10-15 years. The exact duration can vary, however.
How Do I Care For And Maintain My Dental Bridge?
Good oral care is imperative for the long-lasting function of the dental bridge. Fortunately, this is simple. Dental bridge care involves:
- Brushing teeth twice a day
- Flossing teeth once a day using a special flosser around the bridge
- Maintaining your dental checkups and cleanings according to your specific needs
Dental Bridges Vs. Dental Implants
Dr. Lenny Slepchik believes dental implants are the superior option for replacing a missing tooth or several teeth. An implant is anchored by a titanium screw that is placed in the jawbone and becomes a part of the jaw as the bone grows around it. A post is attached to the “implant,” and an artificial tooth is attached to the post. Because implants are anchored into the jawbone, they function exactly like a natural tooth. They are incredibly strong, do not require any changes in what you eat, and often will last a lifetime.
Dental bridges are less expensive initially, particularly for replacing more than one missing tooth. However, bridges primarily last around a decade, so you will need to replace your bridge at least once or twice, depending on your age. This can make the cost closer to that of an implant. Bridge wearers must also be aware of what they eat, as overly chewy, sticky foods can sometimes dislodge or damage the bridge. Plus, habits such as chewing ice may damage your bridge.
Schedule A Consultation
If you have missing teeth, dental bridges may be a good option for you. Contact Lenny Slepchik, DDS at 514-875-7971 to schedule a consultation. We are located in downtown Montreal, next to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, across from Place Ville Marie, Metro McGill, or Metro Bonaventure.