When people have one or more missing teeth, a dental bridge is often a good solution for them. However, it might surprise you to learn that your dentist wants you to get dental crowns before you get a dental bridge. If you're curious as to why or are tempted to ignore their advice, read this simple guide to find out why it's such a good idea.
How It Used To Be
Dental bridges didn't always utilize dental crowns. Of course, if you already had crowns over your teeth, a dental bridge would have been compatible with them. But for the most part, dental bridges were attached to natural teeth and that was that.
The problem is that without dental crowns, a lot of strain is placed on those teeth that are supporting the bridge. This can potentially cause damage to the teeth by the bridge's wires wearing them down or by pulling the two supporting teeth out of alignment.
How It Is Now
These days, dental crowns are utilized to keep the aforementioned problem from happening. Two dental crowns are used to cover and cap the two teeth that will be supporting the dental bridge. The great thing about this is that it prevents significant damage from being done to your teeth, and can protect them from becoming crooked, as the crown takes the brunt of the force from the dental bridge.
What to Expect
Getting dental crowns prior to a dental bridge is really no big deal. Here's what you can expect.
Your dentist will start by x-raying and examining the teeth that will ultimately support your dental bridge. If they need any work done, like filling cavities, that will be attended to first.
From there, you'll need your crowns. Your dentist will order custom crowns for your teeth to be manufactured for you. Since you don't have an existing problem with those supporting teeth, you won't need temporary crowns. This should come as a relief for people who don't like how they feel.
Once your custom crowns are ready, your dentist will call you into the office to have them put on. It's an extremely simple process. Your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned, and then the crowns will be placed over the supporting teeth with a bit of dental cement between them. This will keep the crown firmly in place and will allow it to act as the support for your upcoming dental bridge.
For more information about dental bridges and other general dentistry, contact a local dentist like Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.
Our oral surgery and general dental website offers important information on how to prevent dry socket following a tooth extraction. After getting your tooth pulled, a protective blood clot develops over the extraction site. Many of our blog posts explain how this protective clot helps promote healing after an extraction.
You'll learn that if the clot is accidentally dislodged, dry socket may occur, which can raise your risk for infection and heavy bleeding. We'll provide you with important tips on how to prevent this by avoiding smoking and drinking through a straw. You'll also learn that swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for a couple of days following your extraction because doing so creates a suction that may dislodge your clot, leading to dry socket.