A dental bridge is a fixed appliance placed in the mouth when one or more teeth are missing. Usually, the false teeth are anchored to the healthy abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Dental bridges can last for decades but at some point, they may require repair or replacement.
Causes of Dental Bridge Failure
Most dental bridges are made of ceramics or porcelain fused to an underlying metal frame. Insufficient oral care may cause these products to fail. Bacteria can enter under the bridge and decay the abutment teeth. Abutment teeth can also fracture. Other problems may include breakage of the underlying metal, or fracturing of the coating or pontic (false/dummy tooth). Sometimes there aren’t any structural problems with the bridge, but it no longer fits well or the colour no longer matches the surrounding teeth.
Other potential problems with fixed bridgework include the fact that if one of the supporting teeth fails, the entire bridge is vulnerable. This is when Dental Implants or ALL-ON-4 Dental Implants may be a good alternative.
If you notice chips or cracks in your dental bridge or feel pain or sensitivity when chewing or brushing, see your dentist as soon as possible.
