When a tooth needs to be removed, a temporary bridge offers a practical solution for the resulting gap. This provisional prosthetic device, a short-term restoration, fills the space left by a missing tooth while a permanent solution is prepared. Its primary role is to provide an interim replacement, maintaining both appearance and some function during the healing period.
Reasons for a Temporary Bridge
A temporary bridge offers several benefits following tooth extraction. Aesthetically, it helps maintain your smile’s appearance, particularly for visible teeth. This immediate restoration helps individuals feel more confident during the healing phase.
Beyond appearance, a temporary bridge plays a significant role in preserving oral health by maintaining the alignment of adjacent teeth. Without a placeholder, neighboring teeth can shift into the empty space, complicating future permanent restorations. It also allows for more comfortable chewing and speaking during the healing period, restoring some bite functionality. Furthermore, a temporary bridge shields sensitive gums and exposed areas after extraction, preventing irritation and promoting comfortable healing. This protection also prevents food and bacteria from collecting in the extraction site, contributing to better oral hygiene.
The Temporary Bridge Procedure
The process of receiving a temporary bridge begins after tooth extraction, often during the same appointment or shortly thereafter. Dentists commonly use materials like acrylic or composite resin for these provisional restorations. Bis-acryl composite is also a popular choice due to its ease of use for chairside fabrication.
To create a well-fitting temporary bridge, impressions of your mouth are taken. These impressions capture the shape of your teeth and the extraction site, allowing for a customized fit. Depending on the dental office and case complexity, the temporary bridge might be fabricated chairside or in a dental laboratory.
Once ready, the temporary bridge is carefully fitted and adjusted to align properly with your bite and feel comfortable. It is then secured with temporary cement, designed to hold the bridge firmly yet allow easy removal when the permanent restoration is ready. Minor modifications may be made to optimize the fit and ensure it does not interfere with chewing or speaking.
Caring for Your Temporary Bridge
Proper care of your temporary bridge is important for its stability and to maintain oral hygiene. Brush your temporary bridge as you would your natural teeth. When flossing, it is recommended to slide the floss out from below the contact point rather than “popping” it upwards, which could dislodge the temporary. Using a water flosser around the temporary restoration should generally be avoided.
Dietary considerations are also important; avoid hard, sticky, or very chewy foods like gum, taffy, or hard candies, as these can pull off or break the temporary restoration. Opting for softer foods helps prevent damage to the bridge and underlying healing tissues. Some sensitivity, particularly to cold temperatures, is common with a temporary bridge, but it usually subsides within a few days. If the temporary bridge feels loose, breaks, or comes off, contact your dentist promptly for re-cementation or repair, as leaving the area exposed can lead to complications or shifting of adjacent teeth.
Moving Towards a Permanent Restoration
The temporary bridge serves as an interim solution while the extraction site heals and a permanent restoration is prepared. The healing period after tooth extraction varies. For permanent bridge placement, sufficient gum healing typically occurs within two to six weeks. If a dental implant is the planned permanent solution, healing before placement can range from 10 weeks to several months, depending on bone quality and the need for bone grafting.
Once the healing is complete, your dentist will discuss the various permanent tooth replacement options. These include a conventional permanent bridge, which is cemented to adjacent teeth, or a dental implant, surgically placed into the jawbone. Partial dentures are another option, especially if multiple teeth are missing, and can be fitted after a healing period of approximately six to eight weeks. Choosing the most suitable long-term solution involves a detailed discussion with your dental professional, who can assess your oral health needs and guide you through the decision-making process.