Woman Smiling in Dental Office

Have Questions About Dental Bridges? We Have Answers

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A dental bridge is an artificial tooth that can fill a space in your mouth. Dental bridges are an excellent option for some patients who want to restore their smile and make it whole. If you’re missing a tooth, you may have questions for your dentist in Indianapolis IN. We have answers! At Indiana Emergency Dental, we provide help to patients who need a dental bridge. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that stays in place by attaching itself to the other teeth on either side of the gap. The dental bridge is attached to a crown on either side of the bridge. It is these crowns that are attached to the prosthetic tooth.

Who Benefits From a Dental Bridge?

You can benefit from a dental bridge if you’re missing a tooth and have two healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Your dentist can help you decide if a dental bridge is a good option for you.

How Do You Maintain a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are maintained with regular toothbrushing using a non-abrasive toothpaste. Be sure to use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush your teeth. Your dentist will show you how to clean underneath your dental bridge to protect your gums from bacteria.

Do Dental Bridges Look Natural?

Dental bridges look like natural teeth. Your dentist will have your dental bridge in Indianapolis IN custom-made so it fits perfectly in your mouth. This will help ensure that your dental bridge will last a long time and will not be distinguishable from the other teeth in your mouth.

Want to replace your missing tooth with a dental bridge? Call Indiana Emergency Dental today to make your next dental appointment.

What to do if Your Dental Bridge Becomes Loose

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As your Indianapolis, IN emergency dentist, we can confirm that most emergencies happen at the least convenient times. That’s why we maintain a 24/7 call center to care for our new and current customers. One of the many kinds of dental emergencies that we manage is loose dental bridges. Bear in mind, dental bridges are not supposed to come loose. But when they do, you can count on us. In the meantime, here’s what to do:

Immediate Action

First, contact us. A loose dental bridge requires expedient dental care. This helps to prevent additional damage or loss of the bridge.

Next, avoid the temptation to manipulate the bridge. You shouldn’t wiggle or “play” with it, trying to fix the problem. You could damage your gum tissue or the bridge itself.

Until you can see your dentist, watch what you eat. You don’t want to bite into or chew anything that’s going to make matters worse. Stick to soft foods and try to chew away from the area of the loose bridge to minimize further loosening or dislodging.

Temporary Action

While you await your dentist appointment, you should rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water. This helps to kill bacteria and rid your mouth of any leftover food debris. The aim is to minimize the risk of infection.

Be careful with brushing, as this can make the situation worse, too. Use a soft-bristled brush and a light hand when brushing.

If your dental bridge in Indianapolis, IN comes loose, you can rely on Indiana Emergency Dental to come to the rescue. With our 24/7 call center, you can get immediate help and guidance for what to do next. Contact us today to learn more.

3 Ways to Maintain Your Dental Bridge

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Dental bridges are made to last for a long time. Some bridges can last for as long as 15 years if they’re properly maintained. Your dentist in Indianapolis, IN can provide a lot of information about maintaining your dental bridge.

You may be relieved to find out that much of the maintenance that your dental requires is similar to the maintenance that you’re already doing to take care of your teeth. Below, we’ve listed three ways to maintain your dental bridge.

1. Brush Your Dental Bridge and Floss

Your dental bridge can be cleaned with toothpaste, just like your natural teeth. There are many types of toothpaste available for sale in pharmacies. Avoid abrasive toothpaste. Abrasive toothpaste can scratch your bridge, which may lead to staining over time.

Toothpaste products that promise to whiten teeth are abrasive. You can check toothpaste abrasiveness by looking at the RDA (relative dentin abrasion) value, which should be on the side of the packaging. Look for an RDA of 69 or below.

Floss your teeth as well. Ask your dentist to show you how to floss around your bridge. Clean underneath your bridge with a floss threader or interproximal brush.

2. See Your Dentist Regularly

See your dentist every six months. If you don’t do this already, start when your bridge is installed. Seeing the dentist every six months will help your dentist catch problems before they become serious.

3. Avoid Chewing Non-Food Items

Avoid chewing on ice, pen caps, and other things that are not food. Do you have more questions about how you can maintain your dental bridge in Indianapolis, IN? Call the dentist at Indiana Emergency Dental.

Bridging the Gap To Your Perfect Smile

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Having a gap in your tooth shouldn’t be ignored, especially if it is causing pain or discomfort to the surrounding teeth, gums, and tissue. Multiple teeth missing can affect your ability to chew properly and speak and may also diminish the confidence that you should have in yourself to live your day-to-day life.

The experienced team at Indiana Emergency Dental of Indianapolis, IN, is proud to serve the local community with quality dental care services, including well-made bridges, to help bridge the gap to your perfect smile.

What are Dental Bridges?

Exactly how they may sound, a dental bridge “bridges” the gaps in your teeth together to give them strong support. It consists of artificial teeth, called pontics, anchored to healthy teeth on either side of the gap. These may be anchored with a number of materials, but it is most common to do so with a crown that supports the functionality of your natural smile.

Top Three Materials Dental Bridges Are Made Of:

Dental bridges can be crafted from various materials, each with its advantages. Here are the top three choices:

  1. Porcelain: A popular choice due to its natural-looking, translucent qualities that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. Porcelain bridges are strong and durable, making them suitable for most areas of the mouth.
  2. Zirconia: This material is known for its exceptional strength and resistance to chipping. It’s an excellent option for patients requiring long-lasting bridges, especially in areas that experience a lot of chewing pressure.
  3. Metal-fused-to-porcelain (PFM): A traditional and cost-effective option. PFM bridges offer a good balance of esthetics and strength, with a metal substructure for durability and a layer of porcelain for a natural look.

Your Local Quality Professional Dental Care Team

Dental bridges may be your option if you struggle to regain your complete health and perfect smile.

During your next appointment with the talented team at Indiana Emergency Dental of Indianapolis, IN, you can be sure you receive the proper care and attention needed.

What Is a Dental Bridge? Answers to Your Questions

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If you’re missing one or multiple teeth in a row, filling that gap with artificial teeth can restore your smile and functionality to your mouth. Yourdentist in Indianapolis, IN, can help. At Indiana Emergency Dental, we provide dental bridge services to our patients. If you have questions about dental bridges, then we have answers. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers about dental bridges.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is an artificial tooth or a short row of multiple artificial teeth that are held in place by dental crowns that attach to adjacent natural teeth. Dental bridges are made from impressions of your mouth and are colored like your other teeth so they fit perfectly and look like they belong in your mouth.

How Is a Dental Bridge Installed?

First, your dentist will numb the area where the bridge will be installed. Next, the dentist will shave down the tooth enamel on the teeth on either side of the gap to be filled. When this is done, the dentist will make impressions of your mouth to send to the lab. The lab will use this information to create the bridge.

A dental bridge can take a few weeks to create, so the dentist will install a temporary bridge while the lab is creating the permanent bridge. When the permanent bridge is finished, you’ll come back in for a final installation.

What Are the Benefits of a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge can fill the gap in your mouth. Missing teeth can affect the way you chew, so the dental bridge can fix that.

Have more questions aboutdental bridges in Indianapolis, IN? Call Indiana Emergency Dental to learn more today.

A Look at the Most Common Myths About Dental Bridges

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For patients missing a tooth, dental bridges in Indianapolis, IN, can be an excellent cosmetic option. While bridges are commonly installed and highly effective for smile restructuring, these dental fixtures are also plagued by a number of myths. Take a look at a few of the most common myths surrounding dental bridges below.

Myth: Bridges are uncomfortable.

One of the most prevalent myths about dental bridges is that dental bridges are uncomfortable or somehow painful to have. In reality, however, a well-designed and properly fitted dental bridge should not cause discomfort. Dentists take great care to ensure that bridges are comfortable to wear and adequately allow you to speak and chew without disruption. A short adjustment period to get used to the new sensation is to be expected, but discomfort should not be a persistent issue.

Myth: Bridges look unnatural.

With advancements in dental technology and materials, modern dental bridges can be incredibly natural-looking. Dentists work to match the color, shape, and size of the artificial tooth to your existing teeth. Therefore, the bridge blends seamlessly into your smile and is usually not discernible without close inspection.

Myth: Bridges tend to damage surrounding teeth.

When installed and maintained correctly, bridges do not harm the surrounding teeth. While these teeth have to be prepared to become supportive anchors for the new bridge, dentists ensure a precise fit and take steps to preserve the health and integrity of neighboring teeth. Further, good oral hygiene habits ensure that the surrounding teeth are not compromised when you have a bridge.

Discuss Dental Bridges with a Skilled Indianapolis Dentist

A qualified Indianapolis dentist can provide comprehensive information about the benefits, care, and expected comfort levels of dental bridges. To help you make the best decision about dental bridges, be sure to schedule an appointment with Indiana Emergency Dental.