How is a bridge put into the mouth after a tooth falls out? do the teeth on either side of the bridge ground down?

Yes, : Yes, it is necessary to grind down or "prep" the teeth on either side of the missing tooth in order to place a bridge. This is a disadvantage of doing a bridge. Have you considered having a dental implant placed? A dental implant is a man made post that is placed into the site of the missing tooth. After 90 days, an implant crown can be placed on the implant. This would be a single crown and you will not have to grind down or touch the adjacent teeth. It is also much easier to keep clean! however, if the adjacent teeth need to have crowns already due to decay or large fillings then it might be a consideration for a bridge. All in all implants are the usually the best way to go. Dental implants are excellent and have a very high success rate. Ask your dentist about an implant.

There : There are two categories of bridge removable and fixed. When you say that your tooth fell out I have the impression that the mouth might be in poor condition and that provisional work needs to be done to replace a tooth where the adjacent teeth are not going to be good supports for a fixed bridge. If this is the case then the bridge that replaces the tooth will be removable. The way a removable bridge is made is that impressions are taken of the mouth and a prosthetic device, a denture is made of materials that resemble the teeth and gums and this is then delivered to you, adjusted and held in place with clasps. On the other hand if the teeth on either side of the space where the tooth is now missing are sound, and can support a fixed bridge, then those teeth are reduced in size and altered in shape so that they are equally aligned so that a single cast metal framework will fit over both teeth. This framework will effectively have two thimbles that fit over each tooth. To the outer surface of the metal porcelain is then bonded to build up the appearance of natural teeth. This is then tried in and if it appears satisfactory it will be cemented onto your own teeth and the teeth will look and feel just like your own teeth again. I hope that helps. Dr neil mcleod dds dentistry that lasts - quality that counts.

A : A fixed partial denture (bridge) is made by preparing (grinding) teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth for crowns. An impression is made and the laboratory fabricates a prosthesis that fits over the adjacent teeth and restores them to their original condition and it has the missing tooth attached. The whole solid unit is cemented to the abutment teeth.