How Long Does A Dental Bridge Last?
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device, which is cemented onto existing teeth or implants. Your dentist will recommend a dental bridge if you’ve got a gap in your teeth due to one or more missing teeth. The way a dental bridge works is that it is cemented onto the natural teeth or implants around the space in your teeth, where your natural tooth or teeth once stood. Your dentist may use a dental crown to cap up the missing tooth or teeth, giving you you’re your smile.
What Are The Types Of Dental Bridges Available?
There are 4 main types of dental bridges:
- Conventional Bridges: In the case of conventional bridges, a false tooth is attached to a dental crown which is attached to the adjacent tooth.
- Cantilever Bridges: Cantilever Bridges are used where only one side of the missing tooth has a natural tooth.
- Maryland Bonded Bridges: In Maryland Bonded Bridges, a metal framework is used to support the false teeth.
- Implant-supported Bridges: These bridges are supported not by natural teeth but by implants. These implants not only hold the bridge up but also prevent bone loss.
What Are The Benefits Of A Dental Bridge?
• A dental bridge strengthens damaged teeth
• A dental bridge can be used to improve a tooth’s looks, bite, shape and alignment. Missing teeth tend to leave a gap between teeth, which causes misalignment and a bad bite. A dental bridge helps to prevent this from happening.
• Dental bridges are long lasting – they can last up to 10 years and sometimes longer, with good care
• Dental bridges actually serve as tooth replacements for lost teeth. They prevent dental problems which arise when surrounding teeth shift to fill gaps in your teeth.
How Long Does A Dental Bridge Last?
Dental bridges are expected to last anywhere from five to seven years. Certain sturdy bridges can last more than 10 years. With excellent oral hygiene, it’s possible to retain most dental bridges for 10 years or more, or even an entire lifetime.
What Are the Reasons for Dental Bridge Failure?
While fitting a dental bridge, your dentist will at times need to file down the teeth adjacent to the gap created by your missing tooth. This is the tooth that supports the bridge. Filing down this supporting tooth can increase the risk of decay and gum disease. This will make it necessary to conduct a root canal, which weakens the tooth’s load bearing ability. So when a supporting tooth fails, the entire dental bridge can fail.
How to Prevent Dental Bridge Failure
The way to prolong the lifespan of a dental bridge is to eat tooth-friendly food, and avoid those foods that add stress to the bridge. This means you need to eat more fruit, fibre and vegetables, and avoid meat. This will ensure good oral and general health. You should avoid all sugary and starchy foods, which stick to your teeth and cause dental decay. Also, foods that are hard to chew or require hard chewing such as nuts, popcorn, caramel, and candy should be avoided. Such foods can overload pressure on your dental bridge while chewing on them.
How to Care For Dental Bridges
Here’s how to care for your dental bridges:
• Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss them.
• While regular flossing can remove most trapped food, food can sometimes become trapped underneath the bridge where it’s difficult to remove. Such food particles can cause decay in the adjacent teeth. To prevent this, dentists recommend that you use a floss threader that carries the floss under the bridge. This will help to remove the food trapped under the bridge.
• Sign up for regular specialized care and professional cleaning at your dentist. Professional treatment every 6 months will be ideal.
Together, home care and professional care will help you increase the lifespan of your dental bridges.
Conclusion
A dental bridge is ideal for you if you have an unsightly gap between your teeth. If you have just one or two missing teeth, a bridge can support a crown in the middle, giving you a fulsome smile. If you have several missing teeth in your upper or lower jaw, you’re best off with a denture.
Want more information about dental bridges? Feel free to contact our dentists in Livonia MI or Call us at 734-522-5520 to schedule free initial consultation.
