After Tooth Extraction, How Much Time Should You Wait for Dental Bridges Placement
Losing your teeth can be detrimental to your oral health and your appearance. That is why replacing missing teeth is crucial to your health. Fortunately, we have several teeth replacement options like dental bridges. However, a common question asked is how soon can dental bridges be fixed?
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a permanent restoration used to replace missing teeth. It comes with two dental crowns, placed on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, and a dental bridge, which is the replacement tooth.
The dental bridge is porcelain or metal. Porcelain bridges look like natural teeth and fit the dental crowns snugly to prevent food from getting stuck in between. Metal dental bridges are gold, alloys, or other metal materials that are strong but do not corrode over time.
How Long Should You Wait After Tooth Extraction for Dental Bridges?
You cannot have your permanent bridges fixed immediately after extracting the teeth. The gums need time to heal and new bone to form. Furthermore, as the gum heals, the jaw bone may shrink a bit, which is why you should wait. You may need to wait for 5-6 months after tooth extraction before your gums can form properly and stabilize to have a dental bridge.
Are There Immediate Teeth Replacement Options?
The only tooth replacement option you have after a tooth extraction is immediate dental dentures.
Immediate dental dentures are prefabricated at the Brandon dental office. Unlike permanent bridges, you can remove immediate dentures.
Temporary bridges are not a substitute for permanent bridge implants because they do not fuse with the jawbone.
How long you have to wait for dental bridges will depend on how many teeth the dentist is replacing, the health of your gums, and the type of bridge you choose.
How Are the Bridges Fixed Anyway?
The dental bridge treatment needs around two visits spread across 3-4 weeks.
The dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine if you are a good candidate for the bridges. The abutment teeth, which are the two teeth on either side of the space where the missing tooth used to be, are prepared by removing some of the enamel so that the dental bridge will fit securely. They take an impression of your reshaped teeth to make the bridges, and it can take a few weeks to get the permanent bridges. The dentist will cover your teeth with temporary bridges to protect the teeth from sensitivity.
On the second dental visit, the pontic, a false tooth or teeth in the middle of the bridge, is then attached to these abutment teeth.
How Much Time Do You Have to Wait?
The time you have to wait for dental bridges will depend on how many teeth you are replacing, the health of your gums, and the type of bridge you choose. If you only replace one tooth, you may only have to wait a few weeks. If you are replacing several teeth, it may take longer. Most patients prefer to wait for about four weeks before getting dental bridge placement so that the gums and bone will completely heal from the surgery.
How Long Does the Dental Bridge Last?
A dental bridge can last for many years, but you may need to replace it at some point.
They are made of porcelain or metal and plastic and are durable but may become loose over time. If this happens, you need to replace the dental bridge. Dental bridges usually last for about ten years, but this can vary depending on how well you take care of them.
Schedule an Appointment
If you consider getting a dental bridge treatment, visit Smiles of Canada and talk to our dentist about what type of bridge would be best for you and the procedure involved.