Dental Bridge Recovery and Aftercare

Dental bridges fill in gaps left by missing teeth to restore oral function and enhance the appearance of the smile. These durable restorations are suitable for patients who have lost a single tooth or small set of teeth from the same area of the mouth.

Dental bridge treatment is safe, virtually pain-free, and results in minimal side effects. Prior to performing dental bridge treatment at our Memphis, TN dental practice, Dr. Timothy Messer prepares our patients for what to expect from dental bridge recovery and aftercare.

Will I Need Downtime after Dental Bridge Treatment?

After dental bridge treatment, the mouth may feel a little sore. The dental bridge may also feel strange as you adjust to having the restoration in place. However, none of the potential dental bridge side effects should be significant enough to require you to take downtime.

Patients should feel well enough to resume all of their usual activities, including eating, almost immediately after treatment is complete.

Dental Bridge Side Effects

Although our Memphis patients should feel well enough to eat, work, and resume all other activities on the day of their dental bridge procedure, they may experience some minor side effects for several days after treatment.

The most common side effects of dental bridge treatment include:

• Subtle pain or discomfort
• Heightened tooth sensitivity
• Minor inflammation

Most dental bridge side effects resolve on their own within a week after treatment. If side effects persist, if they are especially severe, or if unusual symptoms develop, it should be reported to Dr. Messer as soon as possible so that he can rule out potential complications.

Aftercare Tips

Dental bridge recovery goes smoothly for most of our Memphis patients, but there are some tips that can make the healing process even easier. These aftercare tips can be especially helpful in the days and weeks following dental bridge treatment:

• Consider pain medication: Over-the-counter pain medication can ease discomfort and minimize inflammation. If either of these side effects are a concern, medication can be used as directed to improve comfort.
• Adjust the diet, as needed: Although most patients are able to eat almost immediately after a dental bridge has been placed, some foods may be more difficult to eat than others. If necessary, patients should adjust their diet to avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
• Maintain oral hygiene practices: Good oral hygiene is especially important after dental bridge treatment. Brushing and flossing reduce bacteria that can lead to infection. Even if the mouth is a little sore after treatment, patients should continue to brush as usual.
• Refrain from smoking: Smoking slows down healing and increases the risk of infection. As a precaution, patients should refrain from smoking a few weeks before dental bridge treatment and a few weeks after the procedure.
• Attend follow-up visits: Dr. Messer is likely to schedule a follow-up visit to monitor how the mouth is healing after dental bridge treatment. Even if the mouth feels fine, patients should be sure to attend this appointment.

Contact Us

A dental bridge can restore a smile that has been affected by tooth loss. If you would like to learn more about dental bridge treatment or the recovery period that follows, contact us at your earliest convenience or call (901) 751-1260 to schedule an appointment.

Tagged In: Dental Bridges