A Look At How You Might Get A Replacement Dental Bridge When Your Old One Breaks
Posted on: 12 July 2022
A dental bridge should last for years, but if you have bad habits like neglecting to brush your teeth or crunching on ice, your bridge may not last as long. A bridge can be replaced if necessary, and sometimes a bridge can even be repaired so you don't have to go through the process of removing it.
When the problem is with a tooth the bridge is attached to, or if the bridge is broken, removing and replacing it may be the best option. Here's a look at how replacing a dental bridge is done.
The Old Bridge Is Removed
When a dental bridge is installed, each side of the bridge is cemented to a natural tooth. The cement bond is strong so the bridge lasts a long time and holds when biting and chewing. This makes it challenging to remove an old bridge. The dentist might need to break the bridge so it's easier to get it out and remove the cement on the teeth.
The Health Of The Teeth Is Assessed
The dentist will assess the teeth that were cemented to see if they're still strong, healthy, and able to support a new bridge. If so, the teeth can be cleaned and the replacement dental bridge can be put in just like the original bridge was.
However, there's a risk that removing the bridge and cement will crack one or both natural teeth. In that case, they may need to be extracted. The teeth may also need to be extracted if a cavity is found and the tooth will no longer be strong enough to support the replacement dental bridge.
The Natural Teeth Can Be Replaced With Implants
If the natural teeth that supported the bridge have to be removed, your dentist might recommend an implant bridge. This replaces your natural teeth with implants that the bridge will attach to. After the old bridge is removed, the dentist can extract your teeth. Then, the implants are screwed into the bone in the tooth gap.
Your dentist may then give you a temporary bridge to wear while your implants heal and your permanent bridge is made in a lab. After your implants heal, the dentist can top them with your new permanent bridge so your smile is restored.
Be sure to follow your dentist's instructions for caring for your implant which may include not munching on hard candy or ice. If you maintain good oral care and avoid using your implant teeth as tools to pry things open and crunch up hard things, your implant has a better chance of a long life.
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