The word temporary means established for the time being, until a permanent arrangement can be made. When tooth preparation/ cutting is done for bridge formation, a temporary bridge/ crown is made over the teeth to be used until the fabrication of the final bridge/ prosthesis. A temporary bridge/ crown usually does not last for more than 6-8 weeks.
DENTAL CODE FOR TEMPORARY BRIDGE
The dental code for the temporary bridge/ crown is D2970 and for the provisional crown is D2799. The difference between both types is that a temporary bridge/ crown usually lasts for 6-8 weeks because of its material. Provisional bridge/ crown can be placed for 6 months or more as it is made up of materials like Biotemp and is usually laboratory fabricated.
WHAT IS A TEMPORARY CROWN MADE OF?
A temporary crown is mainly fabricated by using resins like polycarbonate, urethane dimethacrylate, cellulose acetate, or composites but can also be made up of metals like aluminium or nickel-chromium.
TEMPORARY DENTAL BRIDGE PICTURES
TEMPORARY BRIDGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION
A full set of natural teeth are very important for your smile, oral and general health. But, sometimes, due to conditions like caries, any injury, or deep infection within a tooth, you may need a tooth extraction.
Ideally, you should wait for 5-6 months after recent tooth removal to get a permanent bridge. It helps in gum stabilization and proper bone contouring. Although, it becomes a very embarrassing and shameful condition if front teeth are removed.
To avoid this, a temporary bridge can be given immediately after extraction. Also, it helps in gums contouring in a very ideal shape like the tooth is emerging from the gums. It requires proper post-operative care as warm saline rinses at least three times a day. It helps in reducing pain and swelling. Till temporaries are in place avoid eating sticky and hard foods and try to eat from the opposite side of the mouth.
HOW LONG DOES A TEMPORARY DENTAL BRIDGE LAST?
As described in this article, temporary bridges are fabricated for the time being a permanent bridge is pending. This time period is usually 2-21 days. But, it can also extend according to the procedure needs. The temporary crowns are generally made of acrylic and are fabricated chairside, usually not last for more than 6-8 weeks. But, in some cases like full mouth rehabilitation, recent extraction, or implant surgery, temporaries are to be given for a longer time like 6 months or sometimes more. Materials like Bis-acryl composite or VLC urethane dimethacrylate can be used and mainly fabricated in the lab for such procedures.
TEMPORARY DENTAL BRIDGE PAIN
You can feel pain/ sensitivity to hot/cold or discomfort after putting on a temporary bridge. Sometimes, the patient is unable to identify the difference between discomfort and pain. There can be various reasons as we will try to explain to you what can be wrong with your teeth-
- When the bridge process starts, tooth cutting is done around 1.5- 2mm to fit the bridge over it. This can lead to hot and cold sensitivity. Normally, it resolves itself over time after placing a temporary bridge.
- A temporary bridge may not be covering the tooth completely. Air, heat, or cold can irritate the tooth due to exposed dentin.
- An improperly fabricated temporary bridge can irritate the gums.
- Sometimes, the bridge is high and the bite is not proper, which can lead to pressure, discomfort, or pain.
The discomfort and sensitivity will subside by itself after a few days or after placing a permanent bridge but if the pain continues and you don’t feel comfortable, you should consult your dentist immediately.
TEMPORARY DENTAL BRIDGE VS PERMANENT
Dental bridges/ crowns are used to restore esthetics as well as oral health. Dental bridge looks completely natural and a good restoration can even enhance your smile. So, when a tooth preparation/cutting is done to fit the bridge in place, first of all a temporary bridge is cemented on the teeth till the permanent ones are fabricated from the laboratory.
But, it is very difficult for patients to identify the difference between the temporary bridge and permanent bridge. Some of the patients become so comfortable with the temporary bridge that they ask their doctor why to get the permanent ones if i can perform all the functions with the temporary bridge. So, here our experts are going to explain the difference between a temporary bridge and permanent bridge.
Materials
Temporary bridges are mainly made up of acrylics or stainless steel. These materials are meant to be used only for a shorter duration till the permanent bridge is fabricated. Strength of these materials are not that much to withstand stronger bite forces.
Permanent bridges can be made up of porcelain, metal alloys or zirconia. They are very strong materials and can be used for 10-15 years or longer.
Fitting
Temporary bridges are not fitted properly as acrylics show shrinkage on setting. You will ask ten why not to fabricate the temporary bridge in labs. Even if temporary bridges are fabricated in the labs then also they don’t make a proper marginal fitting. It will affect the seal with the tooth. So, if temporary bridges are placed for a longer time, chances of tooth decay increases due to saliva or fluid leakage around margins of restoration.
Permanent bridges show better retention as well as marginal fit because of material and its proper customised fabrication. It also reduces the chances of tooth damage as chances of damage are greater in temporary bridges if the patient wears it for a longer time.
Esthetics
Though, temporary bridges also look sometimes natural but they are not fabricated for the purpose of esthetics. Permanent bridges look more natural and are more polished than temporary bridges. Permanent bridges are mainly made up of porcelain or ceramics which reflect light better than acrylics. Also, in permanent bridges shades and contours are customised according to the adjacent natural teeth. So, it gives a much more natural and esthetically pleasing appearance.
So, according to above parameters, no doubt permanent bridges are far better in appearance, fitting and materials but temporary bridges are also necessary to maintain the smile, chewing ability and speech.
TEMPORARY DENTAL BRIDGE FRONT TEETH
In this modern world, people are much more conscious about their looks and most importantly smile. There can be various reasons in which you might need a dental bridge for front teeth. Usually replacing front teeth with a bridge is mainly for restorative purposes but nowadays patients also request dental bridges for cosmetic purposes.
Reasons for replacing front teeth with a bridge-
- As front teeth are inclined anteriorly and prominent part of our face, so any fall or any injury can easily cause any crack or severe damage to front teeth and can also lead to their removal.
- Due to fluorosis or any chewing habits, teeth may have discoloration. To hide the discoloration dental bridge is a good choice.
- When teeth are malaligned or have improper shape and size dental bridges provide a fast and easy treatment option
- Also, if there is gapping in between front teeth or any tooth is congenitally missing, then bridge is a good option to replace the missing teeth.
If any of the front tooth is removed/ missing, it affects the patient’s esthetics and speech and can influence their social life. In this case, your doctor can decide either for an implant supported bridge or tooth supported bridge. All these procedures, their treatment planning takes time, so to prevent any type of discomfort and social embarrassment, temporary bridges are the best treatment option till the final restoration is not ready.
