How Long Does a Dental Bridge Last? Full Guide
Dental bridges are fixed prosthetics to replace a missing tooth or teeth. They can be secured in their place to fill in the gaps of the smile by different methods. These include the use of dental crowns on the two supporting teeth (for traditional bridges), adhesive wings (for resin-bonded bridges), or screws and abutments (for implant-supported bridges) to hold the replacement teeth of the bridge. How long does a dental bridge last? This is one of the most common concerns for people opting for dental bridge procedure. Dental bridges work by keeping the other teeth in the right places to ensure that there is no further enamel erosion or tooth loss. They can be composed of ceramic, porcelain, gold, or alloy as per the preferences and needs of the patients. These bridges can last for years and even for decades with proper attention, and they also help to keep other teeth in the right places, so one does not have to worry about erosion or tooth loss.
If you are considering dental bridge placement, it’s natural for you to be concerned about how long should a tooth bridge lasts? After all, it costs money and needs recovery, so no patient would like to have them until they are necessary. Fortunately, dental bridges can last for many years with proper care and maintenance. On average, the lifespan of the dental bridge ranges anywhere between 5 to 15 years and some may even last over 20 or 30 years. Their endurance may get impacted by various variables and can be different for different patients. There is a possibility that the dental bridges may chip accidentally or undergo wear and tear, therefore resulting in the need of revising, repairing, or replacing them. The deciding factors include the eating habits of the patient, bite force, oral hygiene of the individual, quality and type of dental bridge, level of continuous dental care provided, oral health, and their initial fit.
What Can Be Done to Prolong the Lifespan of Dental Bridges?
The biggest factor that can control how long do dental bridge lasts is the care provided by the patients themselves. It is always recommended to give the right attention to a dental bridge after it’s placed inside the mouth to avoid them becoming susceptible to tooth decay or gum disease and ending up in the worst state of the mouth than it was in the beginning.
Luckily, if the patients simply follow their regular dental regimen like twice-daily brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash as well as go for routine dental check-ups and professional dental cleaning bi-annually, then the dental bridges can be kept in good shape as the surrounding teeth for long-term. These dental practices help in getting rid of food chunks that can get trapped beneath the dental bridge and eventually prevent bacterial infection or plaque and tartar formation.
Regular dental visits can help spot out any potential infections that may be occurring and help avoid further complications, thereby making the dental bridges last longer.
In addition, the modification in the diet of the patient can vastly improve the life of the dental bridges. These include avoiding the consumption of any sugary or starchy diets that can reduce the likelihood of having cavities. It’s best to add more fiber, vegetables, and fruits to the diet to strengthen the teeth and improve oral health, thereby ensuring longer survival of dental bridges.
Patients must also avoid using bridgework or teeth for para-functional purposes such as using teeth as tools for cutting threads or opening a bottle cap; chewing of the back of pens or pencils, or nail-biting. These habits can cause chipping or fracture of the dental bridges because of the excessive forces being applied to them.
Another important factor that determines the success and longevity of the dental bridgework and is in the hands of the patients is the choice of a dentist who performs the treatment. The dental professionals at First Point Dental Clinic hold expertise and skills in placing dental bridges and perform the procedure with the highest quality that provides a greater chance of success and long-term restoration survival.
Contact First Point Dental Clinics in Chicago, Illinois Today!
Still have doubts about how long does a dental bridge last? Schedule an appointment with the best dental expert at First Point Dental Clinic.