Is It Time to Replace My Dental Bridge?

While dental bridges can last for several years, they are susceptible to wear and tear – especially when not crafted with top-quality materials or maintained with the utmost care. 

In one case, a patient contacted Dr. Newkirk with a question about her 20-year-old dental bridge. The bridge had yellowed due to age and coffee stains, revealing a small amount of metal between the teeth when viewed closely. She also noticed that the gum area where natural teeth had been replaced appeared sunken, lacking the plumpness of the surrounding natural tooth areas. 

Feeling self conscious, the patient asked Dr. Newkirk whether she’d be better off replacing the bridge or getting dental implants. In his response, Dr. Newkirk explained that tooth loss results in bone resorption, which likely accounted for the “sunken” effect. He told the patient that to fix the issue, an ideal solution would likely be the placement of an implant or a new bridge. He also recommended a bone graft to replenish gum tissue and prevent further resorption. 

To conclude, Dr. Newkirk advised the patient to seek the care of an expert cosmetic dentist. He noted that finding a dentist with a real passion for cosmetic dentistry, who proudly displays photographs of his or her work, is often the secret to top-tier results. 

To learn more about dental bridges and implants, contact our practice today!

Editor’s note: This blog was originally posted on February 17th, 2011.