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 take over your life. There are numerous tooth replacement 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 is 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:
- Decay: One of the most common reasons for dental bridge failure is tooth decay that 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 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 dislodged 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 and calmly, this unpleasant situation can be put behind you in no time!
About the Author
Dr. William Carini earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Marquette University School of Dentistry and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. He has attended various trainings with Spear Education, and recently trained to use Botox/dermal fillers with the Academy of Facial Esthetics. Currently, he is a proud member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry. If your dental bridge has fallen out, he would be happy to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Greenfield, visit his website or call (414) 209-7463.