the gap. Your dental bridge may be supported by your natural teeth or by implants. Your dentist may recommend a dental bridge if you cannot receive a dental implant. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your dentist what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the dentist says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Ask your dentist about what you may eat or drink. Most often you may need to eat a soft or liquid diet after you get your bridge. Use extra care when chewing. Ask when you can go back to your regular diet.
- Ask what foods are good to eat. You may want to avoid:
- Sticky or chewy foods like candy or peanut butter
- Hard foods like chips or peanuts
- Follow your dentists orders about how to best care for your bridge.
- Clean your bridge after every meal, along with your remaining natural teeth.
- Learn the best way to floss your teeth with your bridge. Your dentist may have special tools to help you floss and clean under and around your bridge.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your dentist may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. You may need to go to the dentist to have your bridge adjusted. The dentist may also need to check it on a regular basis. Be sure to keep your regular visits with your dentist. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The dentist may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
What problems could happen?
- Pain or sensitivity
- Allergic reaction to the implant or bridge materials
- Appearance of dark line on crowned tooth next to the gum line
- Bridge becomes loose
- You may have a cavity or gum problems with the tooth that supports your bridge
- Bridge can break or wear down over time
When do I need to call the doctor?
Call your dentist if: ‚
- You notice pain in your mouth that is not better within a week of your procedure. Your bridge may need to be adjusted.
- Swelling or pain that cannot be controlled with the drugs or instructions given to you by your dentist
- Your bridge breaks or cracks or a tooth becomes loose
- Your bridge does not seem to be fitting the right way anymore
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you when I can go back to my normal diet.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have ongoing pain in my mouth or my bridge does not seem to fit the right way.
Where can I learn more?
Academy of General Dentistry ‚
http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=&iid=829&aid=4332 ‚
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry ‚
http://aacd.com/index.php?module=cms&page=576 ‚
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/bridges ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚