What To Do To Fix A Broken Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a replacement for missing teeth. It is supported by two or more abutment teeth or also known as false teeth. The materials used for this procedure can be made of alloys, gold, or porcelain. In case there is a crack in your dental bridge, repair is needed. Visit this site to read about dentures.
Important Facts About Dental Bridge
- Dental bridges can replace one to three or more missing teeth in your mouth as long as there are available natural teeth to connect to with crowns.
- Proper oral care is essential to keep your dental bridge long-lasting. It can last for several decades given that the teeth are well taken care of as well as the whole mouth.
- You will have a fresher smile because it will preserve the alignment of your teeth.
- There are different kinds of dental bridges for every different dental need.
Benefits Of a Dental Bridge
Having gaps in between our teeth can make us anxious to talk and smile in front of people, getting a dental bridge will rebuild your confidence and restore the smile on your face. Eating and chewing can also get uncomfortable when foods get stuck in teeth gaps, a dental bridge can help you chew properly and enjoy your meal.
Our dental condition also affects the shape of our face, incomplete and misaligned teeth can cause unpleasant facial formation. A missing tooth will affect all the healthy teeth in our mouth. Each of our teeth supports each other and losing one will cause all the remaining teeth to drift out of place which may cause misalignment. Having a dental bridge will help in preventing these problems.
Unlike dentures, the dental bridge becomes part of the mouth which makes it more comfortable for the patient since they won’t have to remove and clean it. You can just brush it like your normal teeth.
What Causes Dental Bridge Failure?
A broken dental bridge is commonly caused by poor dental hygiene and a lack of proper oral care. Decaying bacteria may get caught under the abutment teeth and cause dental bridge failure. However, there are several dental bridge repair available in dental clinics.
Below are the most common causes of dental bridge failure.
- Loose implant- this happens to people with a dental bridge that uses implants as support. Once it’s placed on the mouth, it must fuse together with the jaw bone. Failure to do so will cause damage to the surrounding tissue, fractured implants, dental bridge failure, and more.
- Infection- infection can occur when there is a present bacteria during the procedure. It can also be caused by poor oral hygiene after surgery.
- Tissue/nerve damage- this dental bridge problem rarely happens. Chronic pain, tingling in the cheek, gums, and tongue takes place when the implant is placed too close to the nerve causing discomfort. The pain can be temporary or permanent depending on the placement of the implants.
- Overloading- the normal process of placing a dental bridge is usually done in 2 stages, however, some dentists opt for immediate loading. This is a practice where the crown and abutment teeth are placed on the dental implant at once.
- Body rejection- just like organ transplants, our body may reject dental implants as well. Our body pushes the implants out which causes failure.
- Allergic reaction- implants are made of alloys, gold, or porcelain. It is quite uncommon but some patients experience discomfort due to an allergic reaction to these materials.
Different Kinds of Dental Bridge
There are 5 common types on the dental bridge. Each of these has its own purpose and function to its wearer. Let’s start with the traditional dental bridge, this one is the most popular and commonly used dental bridge because of it’s small, lightweight, and comfortable to wear although this type of dental bridge needs extensive oral care because a huge part of enamel will be removed from the abutment teeth leaving it vulnerable for cavities.
Next is the cantilever bridge, this type of dental bridge is most commonly used in the front teeth. A cantilever bridge is used when there is only one abutment tooth available to support the missing teeth.
The Maryland bridge is one of the most costly but worthy types of dental bridges. Metal attachments are used on this procedure. It is known to be efficient because it only requires minimal adjustment to the abutment teeth, but note that metal tends to discolor over time which causes the anchor teeth to darken as well.
The fourth one is the composite bridge, one thing to know about this type of bridge is that it’s easy to install and it’s affordable. This procedure uses a plastic material to directly fill in the gap or the missing tooth space.
Lastly, the implant-supported bridges, this kind of implant has become well-liked over the years. This procedure does not need any abutment teeth because dental bridges are supported by implants. It is advised that your implants are designed specifically for your teeth condition to prevent complications.
Taking Care Of Your Dental Bridge
While it is recommended that you brush and floss your teeth every day, a dental bridge requires extra attention and care. Never miss out on cleaning the vulnerable areas such as the sides and under of the artificial teeth, this will prevent cavities and bacterias to grow.
Post-surgery requires several check-ups with the dentist. It is important that you visit your dentist regularly after the surgery. That way, the dentist can check if the dental bridge is still in good and healthy shape.
Toothbrush and floss may not reach certain areas in our mouth that’s why going on a regular professional dental cleaning is also suggested.
What To Do In Case Of Dental Bridge Failure
It is recommended that you visit your dentist immediately once you notice failures on your dental bridge. Your dentist will need to assess the condition of your teeth in order to come up with the best possible solution. In some cases, the damage or problem can easily be repaired and treated, but in some cases, extraction and replacement are needed. Please visit Riverlands Dental’s clinic in Richmond if you feel like you need a professional to take a look at your condition.
