Dr. Bart Kreiner runs his own dental practice, Dr. Kreiner Family Dentistry, in Bel Air, Maryland. His relaxed and friendly family practice is a sign that he loves what he’s doing. And it shows. Here, he talks about placing a dental bridge without waiting, which is possible under certain circumstances.
The immediate placement of a dental bridge is possible if the treatment of the case is properly planned out. During just one visit, a tooth can be extracted and an immediate three-unit bridge can be placed. The type of bridge that would be placed would be temporary, however, and a final restoration would still need to be completed.
The advantage to having an immediate dental bridge replacement to the patient is aesthetics, as the patient would not be walking around with a hole where the tooth is missing. The other advantage is function.
Immediate Results
Both those advantages play out immediately. While the final product is better than the temporary one, with this method, your gap immediately gets filled until you can do a final restoration. The final product is better because it ends up looking like the missing tooth is literally growing out of the gum tissue, making it easier to clean and giving the patient a more attractive smile.
Rare Procedure
The immediate dental bridge placement is something that is not done on a regular basis by my peers. Generally speaking, a tooth is extracted and the gum heals, and then the patient gets a dental bridge. But performing this type of procedure allows immediate function.
This procedure also allows the final product to look more natural and makes it easier for the patient to clean because there is not a big space underneath the bridge for debris to collect. If you wait and let the gum heal, then the fake tooth will sit on top of the gum, which leaves a bigger space for stuff to collect — risking infection and decay.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
