It can be difficult to complete daily tasks, like eating, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence when you’re missing one or more teeth, but thanks to modern dental technology, you don’t need to let tooth loss takes over. There are several different options out there to choose from, like dental bridges. This restoration connects to the natural, healthy teeth on both sides of the missing tooth and fills in the gap with a replacement tooth. While this option is durable, it’s still possible for failures to occur. Here are some reasons why this can happen and what you should do.
Why Do Dental Bridges Fail?
There are a few common reasons why bridges fall out. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Decay: One of the most common reasons for dental bridge failure is tooth decay which affects the supporting teeth. Bridges and crowns cover the majority of the supporting tooth, but it is still possible for them to experience tooth decay. If you aren’t keeping up an excellent oral hygiene routine, cavities can still develop. If you aren’t practicing excellent oral hygiene cavities can develop. When left to progress, they can become deeper and ultimately cause your dental bridge to fall out.
- Bite Issues: An irregular bite pattern can also cause a dental bridge to fall off. This is because improper bite can lead to pressure points across the dental bridge. Oftentimes, this is the result of the bridge having an area where it is too high on the chewing surface.
- Weak Abutment Teeth: The abutment teeth (also known as “supporting teeth”) must be strong and healthy to properly support a dental bridge. If they don’t have the strength to hold the bridge long-term, it can collapse and fall out. Your abutment teeth could also be too short to provide proper support.
What to Do If a Dental Bridge Falls Out
If your bridge falls out, there’s no need for you to stress. Give your emergency dentist a call to schedule an urgent appointment so the issue can be resolved. When you go in for your appointment, be sure that you bring your bridge with you. During your visit, your dentist will take a look at your abutment teeth to determine the cause. This way, all repairs and replacements can be made to prevent this from occurring again.
If your bridge falls out, give your dentist a call. By acting quickly, this unpleasant situation will be put behind you in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Adam Jones is an experienced prosthodontist who has been working in the field for well over a decade. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Currently, he is a proud member of the American College of Prosthodontists and the Academy of Osseointegration. If your bridge has fallen out, he’d be happy to help. For more information on dental bridges or to schedule an appointment at his office in Vero Beach, visit his website or call (772) 234-5353.