A missing tooth affects more than the appearance of your smile. It can also increase your risk of further tooth loss and affect your ability to chew foods effectively. The good news is that our dentist in Lebanon, IN, offers dental bridges and other tooth replacement options so you can start smiling with confidence again.
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth root that’s supported by crowns on either natural teeth or implants.
Here’s what else you need to know about the dental bridge procedure.
What to Expect When Getting a Dental Bridge
It’s important to understand that each patient is different. For example, if Dr. Lee is placing the crowns of a over natural teeth, he’ll need to prepare them for the procedure. This involves filing down and shaping the enamel of the receiving teeth so that the crowns have enough room to sit on top.
If Dr. Lee is placing a bridge on dental implants, then he’ll wait until the implants have formed a strong connection with the underlying bone tissue.
Next, Dr. Lee will take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab that will be making your porcelain dental bridge. To protect your smile in the meantime, Dr. Lee may place temporary crowns over any prepared teeth.
When you return for your next appointment, your permanent dental bridge will be ready for placement. Dr. Lee will remove the temporary crowns and position the bridge in place to see if it needs any final alterations. This ensures that your dental bridge is the proper size, shape, and shade so it matches the rest of your smile.
Once your looks and fits perfectly, our Lebanon dentist will bond it in place, remove any excess cement, and check your bite.
Request an Appointment with Dr. Lee
Dr. Dwight B. Lee is an experienced dentist in Lebanon, Indiana. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options. To request an appointment and learn if you’re a candidate for a dental bridge, please call (765) 482-2400. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.