Missing teeth can hurt your confidence and make eating difficult. A dental bridge offers a reliable way to replace one or more missing teeth by connecting artificial teeth to your existing natural teeth.
Understanding how long your bridge will last helps you plan for the future and take proper care of your investment. Visit BH Smile to learn more about your dental bridge options.
What is a Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a custom-made prosthetic device that replaces missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to your surrounding natural teeth or dental implants. The artificial tooth (called a pontic) fills the gap where your tooth is missing, while crowns on adjacent teeth provide support and stability. Your dentist will carefully design your bridge to match your natural teeth in color, shape, and function. This permanent solution allows you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence again.
5 Conditions Treated with a Dental Bridge
- Single Missing Tooth: Replaces one missing tooth without affecting surrounding healthy teeth, maintaining your bite alignment and preventing adjacent teeth from shifting.
- Multiple Adjacent Missing Teeth: Bridges can replace 2-4 consecutive missing teeth in a row, restoring function and appearance to larger gaps in your smile.
- Front Tooth Replacement: Addresses missing front teeth that affect your appearance and speech, using tooth-colored materials for a natural look.
- Back Tooth Replacement: Replaces missing molars and premolars that are essential for proper chewing and grinding of food.
- Bite Restoration: Corrects bite problems caused by missing teeth, which can lead to jaw pain and uneven wear on remaining teeth.
How often do dental bridges need to be replaced?
Most dental bridges last between 10 to 15 years with proper care and maintenance. However, some bridges can last 20 years or longer if you maintain excellent oral health and follow your dentist’s recommendations. Regular dental checkups help your dentist monitor your bridge and catch any problems early.
What happens when a dental bridge wears out?
- Loosening or Detachment: The cement holding your bridge may weaken over time, causing the bridge to feel loose or potentially fall out completely.
- Decay Under the Bridge: Bacteria can accumulate around the bridge edges, leading to tooth decay in the supporting natural teeth underneath the crowns.
- Gum Disease Development: Poor cleaning around the bridge can cause gum inflammation, recession, and eventual bone loss around the supporting teeth.
- Structural Damage: The bridge material may crack, chip, or break due to normal wear, grinding, or biting on hard objects.
- Supporting Tooth Problems: The natural teeth holding your bridge may develop cavities, fractures, or other issues that compromise the bridge’s stability.
5 Factors that Affect the Longevity of a Dental Bridge
Quality of Supporting Natural Teeth
The health and strength of your natural teeth that support the bridge play a crucial role in its longevity. Strong, healthy teeth with good bone support can hold a bridge securely for many years. If your supporting teeth have existing decay, large fillings, or gum disease, they may not provide adequate support for the bridge. Your dentist will evaluate these teeth carefully before placing your bridge to ensure they can handle the additional stress.
Oral Hygiene Habits
Your daily oral care routine directly impacts how long your dental bridge will last. Plaque and bacteria can build up around the bridge, leading to decay and gum disease that weakens the supporting teeth. Proper brushing, flossing, and using antimicrobial mouthwash help keep your bridge and surrounding tissues healthy. Poor oral hygiene is one of the main reasons why dental bridges fail prematurely.
Diet and Eating Habits
What you eat and how you eat affects your dental bridge’s durability and lifespan. Hard foods like ice, nuts, or candy can crack or damage the bridge material over time. Sticky foods can pull on the bridge or trap bacteria underneath, increasing the risk of decay. Avoiding these problematic foods and cutting hard items into smaller pieces helps protect your investment.
Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) puts excessive pressure on your dental bridge and supporting teeth. This constant force can cause the bridge to crack, loosen, or wear down faster than normal. Many people grind their teeth at night without realizing it, which can significantly shorten a bridge’s lifespan. Your dentist may recommend a night guard to protect your bridge from grinding damage.
Regular Dental Care
Professional dental cleanings and checkups are essential for maintaining your dental bridge. Your dentist can spot problems early, perform deep cleanings around the bridge, and make minor adjustments as needed. Skipping regular appointments allows small issues to become major problems that could require bridge replacement. Most dentists recommend checkups every six months for patients with bridges.
Bridge Material and Quality
The type of materials used in your dental bridge affects its durability and appearance over time. High-quality porcelain or ceramic bridges typically last longer and maintain their color better than less expensive materials. The skill and experience of your dentist and dental laboratory also influence the bridge’s fit, function, and longevity. Investing in quality materials and experienced professionals usually results in a longer-lasting bridge.
How to Extend Your Dental Bridge’s Lifespan
- Brush Twice Daily with Fluoride Toothpaste: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean your bridge and surrounding teeth thoroughly. Pay special attention to the areas where the bridge meets your natural teeth.
- Floss Daily Using Special Techniques: Use floss threaders or water flossers to clean under and around your bridge where regular floss cannot reach. This removes food particles and plaque that can cause decay.
- Use Antimicrobial Mouthwash: Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash daily to kill harmful bacteria and reduce plaque buildup around your bridge. This extra step helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
- Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods: Stay away from ice, hard candy, nuts, and sticky foods that can damage or dislodge your bridge. Cut hard foods into smaller pieces instead of biting directly into them.
- Wear a Night Guard if You Grind Your Teeth: Protect your bridge from grinding and clenching forces by wearing a custom night guard while you sleep. This simple device can significantly extend your bridge’s lifespan.
- Schedule Regular Dental Checkups: Visit your dentist every six months for professional cleanings and examinations. Early detection of problems allows for quick fixes that prevent major damage.
- Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools: Avoid opening packages, cracking nuts, or biting non-food items with your teeth. These habits can crack or damage your bridge and natural teeth.
- Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption increase your risk of gum disease and tooth decay, which can compromise your bridge’s supporting teeth.
Conclusion
Your dental bridge can provide years of reliable service with proper care and maintenance. Most bridges last 10-15 years, but following good oral hygiene practices and avoiding damaging habits can extend this timeframe significantly.
Taking care of your bridge protects your investment and maintains your oral health for the long term. Schedule an appointment with us at BH Smile to discuss your dental bridge needs and learn more about our services on Facebook, Instagram, and read our reviews on Yelp.