Missing just one tooth can make a significant difference in your quality of life. Things like chewing your food, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence become challenging. Fortunately, there are various tooth replacement options out there, like dental bridges, that can give you your smile back. Dental bridges are supported by the teeth on each side of the empty gap and work by “bridging” the space. Dental bridges are highly durable, but failure isn’t completely unheard of. Here are some of the most common reasons why this occurs and what you should do if you find yourself in this situation.
Why Do Dental Bridges Fail?
There are multiple reasons for dental bridge failure. Here are the most common causes:
- Tooth 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 teeth, but it is still possible for them to become decayed. If you don’t maintain an excellent dental hygiene routine, cavities can develop. If left untreated, they worsen and can cause your dental bridge to fall out.
- Bite Problems: If you have an irregular bite pattern, there are likely pressure points across your dental bridge. This is especially the case if the bridge has an area that is too high on the chewing surface. Ultimately, having this imbalance of pressure can cause the dental bridge to fail over time.
- Weak Abutment Teeth: The abutment teeth are the ones that support the dental bridge, so they must be strong. If they don’t have the strength to support the bridge long-term, it can collapse and fall out.
- Short Abutment Teeth: If the abutment teeth are on the smaller side, they may not be sufficient enough to support a dental bridge.
What to Do If Your Dental Bridge Falls Out?
If your dental bridge becomes dislodged, don’t stress. Just give your emergency dentist a call to schedule an urgent appointment so the issue can be resolved. When you go in for your appointment, make sure that you bring your bridge with you. During your visit, your dentist will examine 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, contact your dentist. Your smile will be complete again in just a matter of time!
About the Practice
At Devonshire Dental of Boston, we have a team of four skilled dentists serving the Boston area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof! If your dental bridge fell out, they would be happy to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (617) 350-7474.