Dental Bridge Recovery and Aftercare

Dental bridges span the gaps left by missing teeth and provide a tooth replacement options that closely mimics the look, feel, and function of the natural teeth. Although dental bridge treatment is fairly straightforward, patients may need some time to adjust once the restoration has been placed.

Here, Dr. Thomas Tang discusses dental bridge recovery and aftercare with our Brookfield, WI patients so that they are well-prepared to care for their smile once treatment is complete.

Dental Bridge Side Effects

A traditional dental bridge is made up of a pontic piece and two dental crowns on either side. When a bridge is placed, the two teeth directly adjacent to the area of tooth loss are treated with the dental crowns, and the bridge, or pontic piece, sits between them to fill in the gap left by tooth loss.

The process is pretty fast and painless, but patients may experience some minor side effects in the days after treatment. Typical dental bridge side effects include:

Minor discomfort
Increased tooth sensitivity
A feeling that the bite is off

How Long Will Recovery Last?

As far as downtime or compromised functions, dental bridge treatment really doesn’t require recovery. It is quite common for patients to complete dental bridge treatment and immediately return to work or other routine activities.

However, the minor side effects that develop after dental bridge treatment may linger for a few days. It may also take a little longer for patients to adjust to how the bite feels with a dental bridge in place.

Most of our Brookfield patients find that it takes a couple of weeks for the mouth to feel completely back to normal after dental bridge treatment.

Aftercare Tips

Proper aftercare is vital to the ultimate success of dental bridge treatment, so Dr. Tang provides each of our Brookfield patients with thorough instructions regarding post-treatment care. If the teeth and bridge are cared for as instructed, side effects will diminish quickly and patients should adjust to the bridge without any issues. The bridge itself can be expected to last for many years (often 10 or more).

Dr. Tang believes these are some of the most important aftercare tips for our patients to keep in mind as they recover from dental bridge treatment:

Continue to brush and floss regularly to avoid dental complications
Consider using a fluoride rinse to further minimize the risk of tooth decay and other oral health problems
Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods until any discomfort has worn off
If tooth sensitivity is an issue, stay away from foods and beverages that are especially hot or cold
If tooth sensitivity persists, try using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth
If the dental bridge continues to feel off beyond the normal adjustment period, report it to Dr. Tang as soon as possible
Schedule routine dental exam and cleanings at least twice a year

Contact Us

Dr. Thomas Tang is proud to offer a comprehensive range of dental services that allow patients to enjoy their best smile. If you would like to learn more about the treatments we provide, contact us at your earliest convenience or call (262) 207-4867 to schedule an appointment.