What Are Some Reasons My Dental Bridge Might Fail?

If you are missing 1-4 teeth in a row, a dental bridge is a great option to spruce up your smile. Constantly advancing dental technology has enabled bridges to look and feel like natural teeth. Bridges made with high-quality materials can last more than a decade with the right care.

Even the most well-made bridges don’t last forever, though. Keep reading to learn the four most common reasons for dental bridge failure and what you can do to make your investment last as long as possible.

Weakening of the Jawbone

After a tooth is lost, that portion of the jawbone loses the stimulation it had been receiving from that tooth’s roots. Since traditional bridges don’t replace these roots, the jawbone begins to lose density. At some point, the remaining teeth do not have the support they need to hold the bridge in place, causing its failure.

Cheap Material

Dental bridges can be made from an array of materials, including plastic. While this makes for an affordable option, you generally get what you pay for when it comes to dental work. Plastic bridges are not as lifelike or durable as materials like porcelain. Your dentist can help you find the solution that best combines affordability with durability so your smile wins.

Insufficient Support

When weight distribution on your abutment teeth – those that support the bridge – is insufficient, it can lead to dental bridge failure. In the long term, these teeth may suffer from trauma and weaken because of it. In an effort to prevent two of your healthy teeth from suffering damage, you can ask your dentist if your bridge can be supported by two dental implants that are fused to your jawbone.

Poor Dental Hygiene

The reason dental bridges most often fail is neglect for brushing and flossing often enough. While your bridge is immune to decay, the two abutment teeth can still develop cavities if you don’t maintain the effort to remove bacteria and plaque. Taking the time to clean around your bridge and keep the teeth that secure it healthy is essential.

It’s Worth the Effort to Protect Your Investment

A dental bridge can be a valuable part of your oral health, so it’s important to do what you can to ensure its longevity. It can restore a healthy-looking smile, prevent further tooth loss, and improve your chewing ability. If you take care of it, you can reap those benefits for more than a decade. In addition to your daily brushing and flossing, be sure to schedule your biannual exam and cleaning so your dentist can ensure your dental bridge is standing strong.

About the Practice

At Sunny Dental, our job isn’t complete until you are sporting a more confident, radiant smile. We want to be the dentist for your whole family, so we offer weekend and evening hours because we know the schedules of family members can vary widely. Our five-dentist team makes it more feasible for the office to be open so many hours each week. If you are missing teeth, we offer dental bridges, full and partial dentures, and dental implants. During a consultation, we can discuss your smile goals and suggest the option that best suits your needs. To get started, visit our website or call (469) 765-8050.