How Dental Bridges Deteriorate in Broomfield, Colorado
Source: Dr. Marketing
Have you lost a permanent adult tooth? If so, don’t panic!
Sure, this can be a stressful experience and you may even be worried about how it will look, how it might affect the rest of your mouth or how difficult it may be to replace.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options for tooth replacement available to you. Even better, some of them are much more straightforward than you might imagine. The first thought that leaps to mind for many is a partial denture, a removable piece of dental hardware that fills in the gap with a replacement. However, these can be cumbersome, affect eating and speech, require extensive maintenance and possibly slip out at inopportune times.
For those who do not want to go with partial dentures, there is another option that eliminates these problems while remaining relatively straightforward: a dental bridge. Bridges use neighboring teeth for support. These teeth are prepared to make room for the bridge before it is affixed to them. Dental bridges differ from dental implants , which use a replacement tooth root fused to the bone of the jaw to support a tooth replacement.
To learn more about dental bridges, such as what they are made of, how they are installed, and what is involved in the procedure, read our recent blog.
One of the advantages bridges have to partial dentures is that they are affixed directly to neighboring teeth. However, this does not mean that they are permanent – a common misconception that can lead to disappointment among those who have them.
Why are dental bridges not permanent?
There are a number of factors that can cause a dental bridge to weaken, deteriorate or otherwise become compromised. One such factor is the vulnerability of the neighboring teeth to which the crowns are attached. Bridges are generally composed of ceramic, metal or a combination of the two. It is this that makes them exceptionally strong and durable.
However, the neighboring teeth to which they are attached are not so fortunate. Since they are made of natural materials they can still experience decay that can weaken them and jeopardize the bridge. On top of that, the natural teeth have experienced a lifetime of pressure and wear, which can affect their shape and structure and put the stability of the affixed crowns at risk.
What’s more, unlike dental implants, bridges are not rooted to the jaw; they are only supported by those neighboring teeth. This means that bone loss or shifting of the mouth can alter the positioning of the teeth supporting the bridge, possibly affecting the structural integrity of it.
While dental bridges do pose a risk of decay, they are still an incredibly effective option for tooth replacement.
Want to learn more about dental bridges? Or are you experiencing deterioration or wish to learn more about a more secure option like dental implants? Contact Petersen Family Dentistry today at (720) 308–9798! We are a Broomfield family providing compassionate and custom care for patients of all ages, including general, restorative and cosmetic options.
