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Dental Issues With Bridges

Dental bridges are a user-friendly alternative to dentures that need to be removed, cleaned and reapplied on a daily basis. Bridges work by fusing a false tooth or several teeth between to existing teeth. The result is a full row of teeth that can be used almost like natural teeth. There are several problems associated with bridges though. Since they are false teeth, serious problems sometimes necessitate the removal of the bridge for repair or complete replacement.

  1. Loose Bridges

    • One of the worst-case scenarios that runs through a person's mind in regard to their dental bridge is a bridge that becomes loose and falls out. Just imagine enjoying dinner with friends and then your bridge suddenly comes out. Not only might this be embarrassing, it will make your meal difficult to eat. The best thing to do if a bridge becomes loose is visit the dentist to get it tightened. In most cases, the adhesive between the bridge and the natural teeth has either worn away or broke due to rough usage. A dentist can repair this type of damage to your bridge in short order.

    Cracks and Fissures

    • While dental bridges are strong, they will eventually wear if they are used in a rough manner. For example, chewing on ice (a common habit among people) will almost assuredly create cracks and fissures in the bridge. This makes the bridge fragile and more susceptible to chipping during regular usage. Any signs of cracks or fissures should immediately be dealt with via a trip to the dentist. Small cracks can be repaired. Larger cracks could mean the entire bridge needs to be replaced; a much more costly result.

    Gaps

    • Gaps in a bridge are probably the most dangerous dental issue regarding bridges because gaps create additional dental health issues with other healthy teeth. Even the smallest gap can collect food. If left untreated (e.g., insufficient brushing or failing to floss), gum disease and tooth decay can result. These dental ailments will lead to costly and painful corrective procedures. A person could even loose additional teeth and have to expand the original bridge. Again, as with all other problems, your dentist should be notified of any gaps in a bridge. The dentist can then determine how to fill that gap to avoid future dental issues.

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