Have you ever nagged yourself with the question, “Can a dental bridge be removed and put back in place?” Dental bridges is recommended by Calgary dentist to people who have lost teeth helping them chew and smile confidently. Much the same as with anything else, they have challenges. Knowing how to maintain your dental bridges and what to do if something goes wrong is very important.
Importance of Understanding Bridge Care
Proper care for the dental bridge is essential to your overall oral health. If the bridge breaks or never fits properly, it can result in further complications. If you know how to maintain and fix your dental bridge, you can avoid painful experiences.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth, referred to as a pontic, that is anchored onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap created by missing teeth. Abutments are natural teeth on either side of the gap to be bridged, fitted with crowns like caps, and between these is a false tooth called a pontic.
A. Definition and Purpose
A dental bridge is a way to replace missing teeth that aids in the proper digestion of food and also maintains a fine smile. If you lose one tooth, then other teeth may shift in the vacant area, which may cause biting and appearance problems. A bridge fills that gap and prevents other teeth from shifting.
B. Components: Crowns, Pontics, and Abutments
- Crowns: These are the caps placed on the teeth on either side of the gap.
- Pontic: This is the artificial tooth that sits in the gap.
- Abutments: They are the teeth that hold the crowns in place.
C. How a Dental Bridge Restores Function and Aesthetics
A dental bridge helps a person chew and speak properly. It maintains the place of teeth and provides one with a full and confident smile, avoiding loosening other adjacent teeth in the process. If a tooth is lost, then it would alter your biting and chewing patterns and make your smile incomplete. All these issues are resolved by a dental bridge filling up that space.
Reasons for Removal of a Dental Bridge
Some of the reasons a dental bridge may need removal for readjustments or repairs include:
A. Tooth Decay Under the Crowns
In case of cavities on the teeth under the crowns, the bridge will have to be removed to fix such decay. This is because cavities can weaken the teeth and cause pain.
B. Gum Disease and Its Impact on Bridge Stability
Gum disease can cause the gums and supporting bones of your teeth to deteriorate. When the gums holding the bridge in place become infected, the bridge can loosen and may even fall out, so it will need to be removed and re-cemented.
C. Fractures or Cracks in Crowns or the Pontic
Bridges, just like natural teeth, can crack or fracture. If this happens, the bridge may need to be removed, repaired, or replaced.
Can a Dental Bridge Be Taken Out and Put Back In?
Yes. In some cases, a dental bridge can be removed and re-cemented. This is called recementation.
A. Conditions for Recementation
The recementation can only be made in a situation where the bridge itself and supporting teeth are still clinically sound. If the bridge is fractured or supporting teeth are very weak, then a new bridge may be indicated.
B. Process of Removal and Recementation
- Inspection: The dentist inspects the bridge and the teeth that support it
- Removal: The bridge is carefully detached so as not to break it or the teeth
- Cleaning: Cleaning of the teeth is done, and so is the bridge
- Recementation: Re-cementing of the bridge using fresh dental cement
C. Side Effects and Complications of the Procedure
Sometimes, it is just impossible to recover a bridge. The damage may be severe enough that a new bridge is required. There may be further damage to the bridge or the teeth while it’s in the process of being removed.
Factors that Affect the Integrity of the Bridge
Several factors may contribute to how long your dental bridge will serve you. Some of these are discussed below:
A. Poor Oral Hygiene and Its Effects
If brushing and flossing are not done properly, cavities and gum diseases can attack your abutments. These, in turn, may damage your bridging. Good oral hygiene is necessary for the survival of your bridging and your natural teeth.
B. The Abutment Support
The teeth that support your bridge must be sound and strong. If they become thin or weak, the bridge collapses.
C. Results of Bad Habits: Grinding or Chewing on Things
Life habits such as grinding on your teeth and chewing hard things can damage your bridge. An additional pressure applied through these actions to the bridge can crack or break it.
D. Why You Need to See Your Dentist Regularly
Regular check-ups allow your dentist to diagnose and correct any problems early. Your dentist can check the health of your bridge, the supporting teeth, and clean areas you can’t see at home.
Alternatives to Recementation
If your bridge can not be recemented, there are some alternative options:
A. When a New Bridge Is Necessary
Sometimes, however, a new bridge may be the best option. Indeed, this could be the case where the old bridge is badly damaged or the teeth on either side are not strong.
B. Dental Implants as a Possible Alternative
Another would be an implant. Inside the jawbone, there is a metal post, and on top of that, you have fitted a tooth. There is no leaning on other teeth to hold the implant in place, and this often gives it more life.
C. Pros and Cons of Replacement Options
- New Bridge: Restores function and aesthetics; it may have to be replaced again in the near future.
- Dental Implants: These are permanent, won’t alter the surrounding teeth, can be expensive, and require surgery.
Prevention to Extend the Life of the Bridge
To make your dental bridge last for the longest time, here are some tips for you:
A. Good Oral Hygiene Practices
Brush at least twice a day, and clean between your teeth once a day. You should make use of fluoride toothpaste bearing the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which means that the product has met the ADA standards for safety and effectiveness. Use an antibacterial mouthwash to lessen plaque and prevent gum disease.
B. Stopping Habits that Damage Dental Bridges
Do not chew or bite on hard objects such as ice or pencils. If you grind your teeth while sleeping, ask your dentist about getting a mouthguard.
C. Importance of Professional Cleanings and Check-ups
After getting dental bridges in Calgary it requires regular visits to keep itself in good health. The dentist will help you do so by cleaning those places that you might have forgotten, and he will also point out the lapses in your dental bridge and teeth.
Consider Consulting Inglewood Family Dental For Dental Bridges
Although dental bridges can be fantastic at replacing teeth that are missing, they still require proper care. Knowing how and when to replace a bridge and how to care for it will keep your smile in great health.
By seeing your dentist at Inglewood Family Dental regularly and practicing good oral hygiene while avoiding hurtful habits, you are ensuring the longevity of your dental bridge and well-being of your oral health.
