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Posted on 8/25/2017 by Dr. Mark Waring |
A dental bridge restores your tooth after tooth loss. Pontic (false) teeth are set between two crowns, which are set upon your adjacent healthy teeth (abutment teeth).
In order to ensure proper fit, molds are taken before the bridge is created in a lab. Before your bridge is cemented in place, it is checked for fit, but sometimes you may not notice a problem until after it is set. What can be done? Adjusting the BiteWhen you first receive your dental bridge, it does take a bit of time to get used to the new restoration. However, if you continue to have problems with it, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Issues with your bite can lead to damage to your natural teeth and chronic jaw pain. Your dentist may use a thin piece of colored paper to find points of contact. The bridge can then be ground with a fine drill. In some instances, it may take more than one visit to have the bridge properly adjusted. What if the Bridge is Damaged?Bridges are usually made from ceramic, and can sometimes be damaged. A chipped or cracked bridge can ruin your smile, just like damage to a natural tooth. Small chips and cracks can often be repaired without the bridge needing to be removed. Your dentist can use a composite resin material to fill the damage, a procedure known as bonding. If the damage is more severe, though, most likely will need to be removed and sent to a lab for repairs and adjustments. Fixing a Loose BridgeSometimes it's not an issue with the bridge, but with your abutment teeth. If your abutment teeth have decay, or are compromised in any way, your bridge can become loose. In these instances, the bridge will need to be removed so that your abutment teeth can be repaired, and then the bridge can be replaced. If something is wrong with your bridge, don't ignore it. Contact your dentist to schedule an appointment right away. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (480) 820-4342 today. |
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