Bridges Specialist
John S.K. Hsu D.D.S. and Virginia J. Chin D.D.S., P.C.
General Dentists located in Fairfax, VA
When you’re missing one or more teeth, your confidence can suffer. Dental bridges offer a restoration option that can replace missing teeth with crowns that match your natural teeth. Dr. Hsu and the rest of the team can help you regain your confidence with custom bridgework. If you live in the Fairfax, Virginia area and are ready to restore your smile, schedule a consultation today with John S.K. Hsu D.D.S. and Virginia J. Chin D.D.S., P.C. Online scheduling is available, and there are numerous appointment times to choose.
Bridges Q & A
Why is it important to replace missing teeth?
When you are missing one or more teeth, you may feel less confident about your smile. That can have a negative impact on your interactions with others, whether at school, work, or in social settings. Restoring your smile is an instant confidence booster.
More importantly, replacing missing teeth can also have numerous health benefits. When your natural teeth are not in place, your remaining teeth shift out of their proper alignment, leading to new dental issues.
Missing teeth can make it hard to speak or eat properly. That can require you to alter the way you move your jaw, which sometimes leads to a problem with temporomandibular jaw disorder.
What happens during the bridge process?
Getting dental bridges is very similar to having a new crown installed. That’s because crowns placed on the adjacent teeth hold bridges in place. Crowns replace the missing teeth, which creates a “bridge” over the empty gum tissue.
Once you and Dr. Hsu decide that a bridge is the best tooth restoration option, he prepares the adjacent teeth to receive their crowns. That involves removing a small portion of your tooth tissue to make room for the crowns to fit appropriately.
Next, he makes a mold of your teeth to send out to the dental lab, where your bridge is crafted. While you wait, you may receive a temporary bridge to wear. Once your new bridge arrives, you return to the office so that Dr. Hsu can check the device for optimal fit before cementing it in place.
What happens after my new bridgework is installed?
You may feel a little gum or mouth soreness in the first few days after your bridge is placed. You might also need a few days to get used to the feel of the device. However, the bridge quickly becomes part of your smile, and feels and acts just like your natural teeth.
From that point forward, just brush and floss your bridge the same way you care for your other teeth. Take care to avoid sticky candy or other food that could damage your bridge, and never chew ice or other hard objects.
If you are dealing with one or more missing teeth, schedule an appointment with John S.K. Hsu D.D.S. and Virginia J. Chin D.D.S., P.C. to learn about your restoration options, including custom bridgework.