When Restorations Get Risky: What Causes a Dental Bridge to Fail?

Today’s dental bridges can last a long while, assuming they get good care. They’ve even been known to work for up to fifteen years or so. That said, these restorations can stop working early if you aren’t careful. As for what causes a dental bridge to fail in such a way, your Fairfax dentist has the scoop. Just keep reading to discover the common causes of dental bridge failure and learn how to avoid them.

Why Would a Dental Bridge Fail?

While various factors can make dental bridges fail, the most common ones are:

Poor Oral Hygiene

Since dental bridges aren’t “natural,” they don’t decay or get infected. However, they can still fail early due to poor oral hygiene.

Don’t forget that dental bridges are held by nearby natural teeth. If these “abutments” aren’t cleaned well, they’ll likely suffer cavities or tooth infections. Such issues could cause your teeth to become unstable or fall, potentially leading to dental bridge failure.

Bad Mouth Habits

Bad mouth habits don’t just harm your “real” teeth. Often, these actions can cause your dental bridge to fail and compromise your smile.

Despite their durability, dental bridges can’t handle everything. They can (and will) fracture and break if they’re put under enough pressure. As such, bad habits like nail biting and teeth grinding are hazardous for them. The force from these practices could make your prosthetics fall apart.

Shoddy Bridge Construction

Dental bridges don’t always fail due to one’s lifestyle. Sometimes, they simply stop working because they weren’t constructed well.

Poorly-made dental bridges are more likely to fail early on. After all, prosthetics that use low-quality materials are highly susceptible to damage. They won’t endure the force from chewing and biting as well as better restorations would. At the same time, such bridges may not fit properly and “blend in” with the rest of your smile.

How Do You Care for Dental Bridges?

If you don’t want your dental bridge to fail, remember to do the following:

• Keep Your Mouth Clean – Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day should help keep your “abutments” healthy. As a result, the teeth supporting your dental bridge will be strong.
• Form Good Habits – As best you can, quit your bad oral habits and replace them with good ones. Doing so will protect your dental bridge from harm.
• See Your Dentist Often – Make sure to attend dental checkups every six months or so. Through these visits, your dentist can identify and address threats to your dental bridge.

To learn more about dental bridge failure, consult your dental provider. They’ll gladly give you the precise facts.

About the Practice

Fairfax Dental Group is based in Fairfax, VA. Led by Drs. Ayati, Young, and Masti, our practice has been serving local smiles for over two decades. We’ve continually offered preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments during that time, always ensuring each patient gets excellent results. That means you and your family can trust us for truly thriving smiles! For more details or to schedule a visit, please reach out on our website or by phone at (703)-560-6301.