Dental bridges are often recommended by our Thornhill dentist in cases where a patient is missing one or more of their neighbouring teeth.
Available in a wide range of materials, dental bridges are composed of one or several prosthetic teeth referred to as “pontics” that span the space where the teeth are missing, with two prosthetic tooth-resembling “abutments” on either side that are fixed to a patient’s natural teeth or crowns.
With that said, there are some common dental bridge problems that patients can experience that may require intervention.
Let’s talk about the three main issues that can be experienced with dental bridges:
- Tooth decay or cavities may compromise a bridge, leading it to fall off.
If a patient with a dental bridge does not practice proper daily oral hygiene care, they are putting their restoration at risk for eventually falling off. This is because decay can easily form and accumulate below the crowns of the bridge without sufficient cleaning - which can cause the bridge to loosen from its secure attachment to the teeth.
Fortunately, a special tool can be used to properly clean and eliminate bacteria from the area underneath the bridge that requires extra attention. Our dentist and hygienist are always happy to demonstrate the proper cleaning practices and techniques to keep such restorations (and surrounding teeth and gums) in top shape.
- The bridge may detach from the teeth due to poor fit.
In order to stay securely fixed in the mouth, dental bridges must fit the patient’s teeth perfectly - or there’s a good chance the dental bridge may pop off. It’s the responsibility of both the dental lab and dentist to ensure that the bridge has been adequately custom-created to fit the patient’s unique smile.
- The bridge may appear unnatural-looking (or feel uncomfortable).
Dental bridges should always be created to blend seamlessly with the patient’s natural smile for a cosmetically pleasing result. However, some patients may notice that their bridge has discolouration, or doesn’t correctly align with the rest of their teeth, causing discomfort.
Fortunately, most bridge manufacturers and dentists with experience will be able to create an attractive and natural-looking dental bridge that suits their patient’s smile.
The good news is, these common dental bridge problems can be avoided with an experienced dentist, and with adequate oral care at home.
If you’re ready to restore your smile with dental bridges, our dentist in Thornhill would be pleased to meet with you. Simply schedule a dental bridges consultation with us today!