An etching bridge is made to replace a tooth or molar that you miss.
What are the preparations for treatment?
The dentist will first check if there is enough room for the etching bridge. Space between your upper and lower elements, so that the etching bridge does not get in the way when chewing. And space between the two neighboring elements of the hole that is now present, so that the etching bridge can have a natural tooth width. If necessary, photos of the neighboring elements are made to assess whether they are strong and healthy enough to act as a pillar.
Is the treatment painful?
In general, this treatment is not painful. The neighboring elements are lightly ground at the rear, to make a hold for the wings of the etching bridge. This is only superficial, usually an anesthetic will not be necessary.
How often do I have to come to the practice?
Twice. Once for grinding the neighboring elements and making prints and determining color. The second time for placing the etching bridge.
What inconveniences can I expect during treatment?
Take little, at most the inconvenience of water cooling, and the inconvenience of printing.
Treatment
For the etching bridge, the neighboring elements are ground very lightly and not under the gums. Prints are then made and the bite is determined by means of a wash bite. After determining the color, an emergency restoration is sometimes made. If the etching bridge takes the place of a tooth that has yet to be drawn, then the drawing will usually be postponed until the date that the etching bridge can be placed. You don't walk with a hole in your mouth. It may also be that you wear a plate to replace the missing tooth. You can continue to wear this until the etching bridge is placed.
Which additional objections can I expect?
There are few to no additional objections. After placing the etching bridge you are not allowed to eat or drink for an hour to allow the glue to cure completely. An etching bridge can come loose once in a while. You then notice that there is play in it (a wing has become detached) or the etching bridge falls out of your mouth, if both wings have become detached. The etching bridge is fragile, be careful with it. Put the bridge in a box and take it to your dentist to have the bridge fixed again. Re-attaching an etching bridge is not an emergency; If it happens during the weekend, you can quietly wait until Monday to call your dentist.
Alternatives and pros and cons
Alternatives to the etching bridge are all removable features, such as a plate and a frame. Because this book is about cosmetic dentistry, only the best solutions are mentioned, removable facilities are not included. Moreover, a picture will damage the rest of your teeth, so this can only be used as a temporary solution.
Another alternative is the conventional bridge. For a conventional bridge, much more has to be ground from both neighboring elements than the small hold for an etching bridge. It is a good solution if both neighboring elements are no longer beautiful or have already been strongly restored. If the neighboring elements are fairly intact, the etching bridge is the first to be considered. A good alternative to replace a missing element is an implant.
