What You Need to Know About Fixing a Dental Bridge

Having chipped teeth could place you in an awkward position where your self-consciousness takes a toll on you. A dental bridge is an appliance that is placed in your mouth wherever there are missing teeth. Sometimes the bridges can serve you for years, but it is good to have them checked for repairs or replacement after a while.

Repairing a dental bridge could be a little confusing, especially when you factor in work involved. Your dentist can identify what needs repairing during your scheduled dental checkups or even opt to replace the entire bridge.

Why Dental Bridges Fail

Most dental bridges are often made from porcelain or ceramic materials before being combined with a metallic structure. Poor oral health practices could lead to your bridges breaking and failing. In most cases, bacterial growth can negatively impact the tooth foundation on which the dental bridge is placed. Fractures along the abutment teeth could be a source of intense pressure that weakens your dental bridge foundation. There are cases where the bridge fails to fit in its desired position in the mouth as well.

When Should You Have It Fixed?

As your dentist will advise you, dental bridges are a temporary fix for missing teeth. Usually, their lifespan could be anything between 5–15 years. The first sign that these bridges need to be repaired is if you experience some sensitivity near the dental bridge. Other times the porcelain could start wearing off and cause cracks along the dental bridge. If you have such symptoms, it would be a good idea to arrange an appointment with your dentist for further examination.

What You Can Do After the Dental Bridge Fractures

The first thing you should do is stay calm. At this point, a quick visit to your dentist is in order. It is worth noting that broken bridges do not cause as much pain and discomfort as an actual tooth fracture. However, there is a significant risk of infection from bacterial growth around the area, which could develop into much bigger issues with time.

You could go over your options with a dentist to further explore what more can be done considering the impact that they may have on your other teeth. Dental bonding could be a viable option in case there is minimal breakage. Your dentist could also recommend a veneer if the extent of damage is great. The other option will be replacing the whole dental bridge if there is a risk of bacterial infection.


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