Bridge too high. What should I do?

Question

My % unit (covering teeth 18-22) bridge is about 4-5 mm higher than the rest of my teeth. My front teeth hurt like they are being pushed, my jaw feels swollen on the side of the bridge and I feel my TMJ that has been good for quite a few years is coming back. My new dentist refused to send the bridge back to the lab. What should I do?

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS · Answer

HI:There is certain amount of adjustment that is normal with a new bridge.  It's difficult to know exactly how high is the bridge without a clinical exam.Best,Dr. Maddahi

Todd B. Barsky, DDS · Answer

It is very common for a new bridge to feel "strange" or "different", especially a long span bridge as you have, but you should not be experiencing pain. 
Without seeing photos of your mouth I can not give you an answer on why the bridge is several mm's higher than the rest of your teeth. There could be several reasons why the bridge was designed this way, with the most common reason being the position of your upper teeth.  
However, a more important question is how the bridge feels when you bite. If you only feel the new bridge when you close then the bite definitely needs to be adjusted or the bridge replaced. A high bite can cause TMJ pain and it will only get worse unless the bridge is adjusted or replaced. 
I would schedule any appointment with the dentist that completed the bridge and/or get a second opinion.

Bridge too high. What should I do?

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Bridge

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Bridge too high. What should I do?

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Bridge

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.