If you are missing one or more of your teeth, it can be challenging to complete tasks that you once found easy. The good news is that there are various tooth replacement options to help restore the appearance and function of your teeth. Dental bridges are an excellent solution for those who are missing one or a couple of consecutive teeth, but they do have a small chance of failing. Here’s how this can happen and what you can do to avoid it.
Poor Oral Hygiene
The most common reason for dental bridge failure is poor oral hygiene. If you have a bridge, you need to be thorough when it comes to your dental care routine at home. If you aren’t taking the time to brush twice and floss every day, you are putting your dental bridge and the rest of your smile at increased risk.
Insufficient Abutment Teeth
Your abutment teeth are the ones that support your dental bridge. However, if they aren’t healthy enough, serious issues can arise. If there is an uneven distribution of the bridge on the surrounding teeth due to one not being supportive enough, this can result in trauma and dental bridge failure.
Bad Habits
There are various bad oral habits that can put your dental bridge at risk. Some common ones include nail biting, chewing on pens and pencils, eating sticky foods, teeth grinding, and munching on ice cubes. If you have one or more of these habits, a bridge failure could be in your future.
Poor Jawbone Support
If your jawbone isn’t sufficient enough, your abutment teeth won’t be either. They will be much less likely to be able to support a dental bridge. When you don’t have enough bone support, your bridge and surrounding teeth are more likely to fail. During your consultation, it will be determined if you are a good candidate for a dental bridge.
Skipping Dental Checkups
When you go to your regular dental visits, your dentist checks to ensure that your bridge is in good condition. Your hygienist will clear away plaque and tartar buildups that could leaf to tooth decay and gum disease. Both of these issues can result in dental bridge failure if they are left unaddressed.
Dental bridges aren’t completely indestructible, but they can last for up to 15 years when cared for properly. By taking all the right steps every day to keep them in good shape, you will be showing off your complete smile for many years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Bikram Singh first earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in India before moving to the United States. He was accepted into the Advanced Standing Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine. He has accrued more than two decades of experience since then. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the North Carolina Dental Society. To learn more about dental bridges or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (919) 460-5454.