Are Dental Bridges Reliable?

Question

I just got my premolar extracted and a temp 3-point bridge procedure done today because of a dental emergency. The adjacent teeth that will be supporting the bridge has one that had a big filling that needs a crown and other had a filling previously. I chose to do a bridge instead of a implant because since one needed a crown, so I can get both done in 1-step. I just want a 2nd confirmation if I made the correct decision. Please help!

Calvin Jung, MD · Answer

Prior to the advent of dental implants patients options were very limited to just bridges when a tooth had to be removed.  There are pros and cons of both a 3 unit bridgePros: - cheaper than a dental implant and crown of the tooth with filling- time investment is shorter, can be completed in two visits (mostly)Cons- if you ever have an issue with either teeth that support the bridge and need to be extracted then your whole bridge is now compromised.  You will have to address the empty space and the tooth that needs treatment.Both are good options, it should be something that your provider explained throughly to you so you understand the ramifications of either or!

Anthony Mobasser, DDS, DMD · Answer

Tooth implant vs dental bridge depends on many important factors , such as xrays, clinical exam, your bone level,  and your bite and occlusion!If your teeth adjacent to missing tooth were virgin and healthy, I would recommend dental implants! Your dental porcelain bridge will last! If the adjacent teeth needed crown and a large restoration, then the dental bridge is a good choice! the only hesitation I have is that you need to use bridge threader to clean them, if not you can get recurrent cavities! This vs Dental implant, if you did implant you could floss normally like your regular teeth, dental implants also have their cons: After 5 to 10 years you could develop a gap between your natural teeth and the dental implant ! You avoided a surgery, possible bone grafting, and you got temporaries done the same day.! I would like to have seen your xrays and do a clinical exam, before further advise!Best of Luck,Dr Mobasser

Sang Pil Yu, DDS · Answer

Yes, dental bridges are reliable. The dental bridges have lifespan of around 5-7 years and specific dental bridges last over 10 years. These bridges can last up to a decade and sometimes, even for longer duration if proper care is taken. They serve as good way to replace the broken or chipped teeth, and thus, assist you to prevent dental problems to a great extent. They play a crucial role in dental healthcare. 
  
Here are a few benefits of having dental bridges that help you depict its reliability as well. 
1.Bridges are fixed prosthetic restorations that do not require periodic removal for cleaning.2.Patients get used to dental bridges in a short time3. Dental bridges provide excellent chewing comfort4.Few appointments are needed5. Life span and prognosis are good

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS · Answer

Hi:Definitely both implant or 3 unit bridge is a good choice for you since the adjacent teeth have restorations.Best,Dr. Maddahi

Gary Braunstein, DDS · Answer

A 3 unit dental bridge can be very reliable if it is made to fit proprerly, if the occlusion is correct, and if the proper choice of material was chosen.  Depending on the material used, the dentist must follow the correct preparation guidelines for that specific material to guarantee its success.  Most importantly for the bride to last a long time, the patient must practice proper daily home care, which includes flossing under the pontic to get access to clean the surfaces of the abutment teeth at and below the gingival margin to prevent decay from recurring and to keep the gums healthy and free of gingivitis or periodontal disease.  A well made and good fitting bridge can last 20 years or longer.  In my opinion, the implant route would have been a better choice because you would then have had three individual teeth and flossing would be easier.  Premature failure of one tooth will necessitate remaking the entire three unit bridge, but would only require remaking the one failed crown if they were done individually.  Regardless of my opinion, I think you made a good choice and you should get years of good service from the bridge.

Neal Nealis, DDS (retired) · Answer

I think you made a good choice. Fixed bridges are not quite as reliable as implants, but pretty close. It will be important that the occlusion be perfected in the final porcelain and that the height of the support teeth be enough to retain the bridge long term. Hopefully your dentist understands both of these considerations. All in all my experience with dentistry that I've seen coming from northern California has been pretty darn good.

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