How Long does a Dental Bridge Last?

As each of us walking the streets are all incredibly different, the life expectancy for a maple grove dental bridge will depend on the individual. Eating habits are a huge factor as is the oral hygiene of the patient. The type of dental bridge will also be a deciding factor. Let’s first take a look at the types of dental bridges and then look deeper at contributing factors.

The Different Types of Dental Bridges

The reason for considering a bridge in the first place is that you have lost a tooth and now have a gap to fill. Whether the result of an accident or the dentist needing to extract that tooth, the gap needs to be filled. The most common bridge is the Traditional Bridge. This is when the dentist will remove the outermost layer of enamel from the two teeth on each side of the gap. These are called the abutment or anchor teeth. A dental lab will fabricate an artificial tooth called a pontic, affix it to two crowns, and the crowns will be cemented over the two anchor teeth.

A second method is much like this. Called a Maryland Bridge, instead of using crowns over the abutment teeth it will rely on a metal framework to support the pontic. This route keeps those two anchor teeth natural in the event that you might consider a dental implant in the future.

The third version is called a Cantilever Bridge. This is like the two previous but you only have one anchor tooth to support the pontic. The final version is an Implant-Supported Bridge. When the gap spans three teeth the middle tooth will need to be replaced with a dental implant. Then two bridges can be fabricated from the implant to your two natural teeth to serve as anchors.

The Variables Impacting the Life Expectancy

The length of time your dental implant will last can range anywhere from five to ten years. You can contribute to extending that life. Let’s start with your diet and what you eat and how you eat it. You will be given advice on the differences between fruits, vegetables and fibers. Your pontic is porcelain or enamel. It can stain and discolor just like your natural teeth. You certainly will want to stop chewing on ice and avoid some nuts and hard candy. These items will increase the pressures on that dental bridge when you bite and chew. Your oral hygiene cannot take a back seat. You must continue to brush your teeth well twice a day and to floss at least once a day. If you treat that dental bridge like a good investment you can actually see more than a ten-year life expectancy. Continue to also see your dentist twice a year for an examination. They can monitor the condition of the bridge as well and make some suggestions if they see excessive wear and tear. Keep in mind that your smile is invaluable, so this bridge can also be tough to put a price on.

More on Dental Bridges : What are the Types of Dental Bridges?