Dental bridges are a popular way to replace one or more missing teeth. They can help restore health and function to your mouth after extensive decay, injury, or another issue has left you with a lost tooth. While a great choice for many situations, dental bridges might not be for everyone. There are four things about dental bridges that you might not know:
There are many different types of dental bridges. Depending on where you’ve lost a tooth, and how many, you may need a specific type of bridge. Some dental bridges attach to the two teeth surrounding an empty tooth socket(s), while others only need attaching to one tooth next to the socket or are a dental crown with metal wings that attach to teeth.
Dental bridges require remaining teeth to be healthy. Because bridges are attached to natural teeth, they require that these teeth be healthy and strong. This is because to support a bridge, these teeth need to be filed down to small nubs. It’s important to know that these teeth are permanently altered.
Dental bridges can increase the risk of tooth decay. If a dental bridge does not fit correctly or is not cleaned properly, this increases the risk for bacterial plaque to build up around or beneath the restoration. This can cause the bridge to fail as well as problems with the natural teeth.
A dental bridge generally lasts 5-10 years. Dental bridges are unfortunately not built to last forever. The general lifespan of a bridge is less than a decade on average. Durability depends on the quality of the materials, the fit of the bridge, oral hygiene care by the patient, and where the bridge is located.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you’re wondering if dental bridges are right for you, schedule a consultation with your local cosmetic dentist today. We invite you to meet our experienced and friendly doctors, Dr. Dan Shaer, Dr. Shawn Nguyen, Dr. Alice Reina Fukui and in our office in Northridge, CA!
