A dental bridge can be an excellent option for you if you’re missing front teeth, as it covers any visible gap and restores tooth functionality. However, due to improper placement or poor oral hygiene, dental bridge can cause serious problems that require immediate attention.
Everything you need to know about bridges and the most common dental bridge problems has been compiled for your convenience below.
Types of Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges usually are made of porcelain fused to metal or ceramic material, and natural teeth or implants support them. The three most common types of bridges include:
- Traditional: Traditional bridges are the most common type of dental bridge. They are made of porcelain fused to metal or ceramic, and natural teeth support them on each side of the missing teeth. Traditional bridges can replace one or more missing teeth.
- Maryland: Maryland bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but they are made of plastic teeth and metal wings. The metal wings bond to the natural teeth on each side of the missing tooth or teeth. Maryland bridges are less noticeable than traditional bridges because they do not have crowns on the supporting teeth.
- Cantilever: Cantilever bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but they only have one supporting tooth, and the supporting tooth is adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth. Cantilever bridges are not as strong as traditional bridges.
The procedure of fitting dental bridges usually needs two visits. A temporary bridge is fitted on the first visit until impressions for the actual ones are taken. After removing the temporary bridge, the permanent one is fitted on the second visit. Temporary cement holds the bridge in place, and over the next few weeks, your dentist will examine the bridge to ensure it fits properly and determine whether you need any adjustments.
However, like any other procedure, there can be complications during or afterward, and you may face some dental bridge problems. While dental bridges may serve as your natural teeth, they aren’t natural after all.
3 Most Common Dental Bridge Problems
Many patients experience dental bridge problems at some point because, typically, they don’t last a lifetime. Here are the three most common dental bridge problems:
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Decay Forms Underneath the Crowns of the Dental Bridge
It is difficult to maintain good oral hygiene with a dental bridge. However, it’s incredibly important to keep the surrounding teeth and gums free of plaque and bacteria. If decay forms under the crowns of your bridge, it can cause extensive damage to the surrounding teeth and gums.
In this situation, bridges need to be replaced to remove the decay. Using dental implants, which permanently replace missing teeth, is often the better alternative to replacing the bridge.
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The Bridge Looks Unnatural
Dental bridges are a significant investment, so you deserve to love how it looks. In some cases, gum contouring may improve the appearance of the bridge. A teeth whitening treatment can help even out the color if the bridge is whiter than the rest of the teeth.
If the problem is that the bridge does not line up with the gum line, it needs to be reset. Your dentist can usually do this without replacing the entire bridge. So, if you are unhappy with the appearance of your bridge, talk to your dentist about how to improve it. With the right adjustments, you can have a bridge that looks and functions great.
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The Bridge is Ill-Fitting
Your dental bridge can feel uncomfortable due to several factors. The most common reason is that the fit isn’t quite right, and the dentist will need to make some adjustments.
Another possibility is that the bridge puts too much pressure on the surrounding teeth. By adding a small piece of dental floss under the bridge, we can fix this, to help distribute the force more evenly.
If your bridge is still uncomfortable after making these adjustments, it’s important to talk to your dentist so they can determine the root of the problem.
Want to Avoid Commonly Experienced Dental Bridge Problems? Contact Our Qualified Dentists at Valley Ridge Dental, LAKE ELMO, MN Now!
The best way to prevent common dental bridge problems is to have them placed by a qualified and experienced professional. Consulting unqualified or inexperienced dentists to have a bridge seated generally leads to dental bridge problems. They may set the bridge improperly or use low-quality materials, which may cause it to break or crack after a few months.
A dental bridge is a relatively common dental treatment, but it’s still crucial to know that the person placing your bridge has experience. So, ensure you visit a reputable dentist who has extensive experience with bridges.
At Valley Ridge Dental, our expert dentists use the latest procedures and techniques to fix our patients’ dental bridges and give them a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile. So, contact us now!
