How Long Does a Dental Bridge Last?

A dental bridge is a common tooth replacement option, used to fill the gap in the mouth caused by missing teeth. They generally consist of two or more crowns that hold the bridge to adjacent teeth, with the replacement teeth placed in between. They can be made from porcelain, ceramic, gold, or alloy, based on the needs and preferences of the patient. Typically, a dental bridge lasts between 5-15 years in most scenarios, although this can vary greatly based on your maintenance of the bridge and your oral hygiene.

A dental bridge is a common tooth replacement option, used to fill the gap in the mouth caused by missing teeth. They generally consist of two or more crowns that hold the bridge to adjacent teeth, with the replacement teeth placed in between. They can be made from porcelain, ceramic, gold, or alloy, based on the needs and preferences of the patient. Typically, a dental bridge lasts between 5-15 years in most scenarios, although this can vary greatly based on your maintenance of the bridge and your oral hygiene.

What can I do to prolong the life of my bridges?
Modifying your diet can help vastly improve the dental bridges lifespan, for example avoiding starchy and sugary diets can reduce the chance of cavities. Furthermore, consuming more fibre, fruits and vegetables can help strengthen your teeth and improve oral health, ensuring your dental bridges can survive for longer.

Brushing your teeth and flossing at least twice a day can also keep your dental bridge in good condition, by removing food chunks that can be left trapped beneath the bridge. This in turn can reduce the chance of a bacterial infection, regular dental cleaning visits can further help reduce this. Visiting the dentist regularly will also ensure that any potential infections are spotted early to avoid further complications and prolong the dental bridges life.

Getting a dental bridge can have several benefits, such as:

• Restoring your smile and improving the appearance of your teeth.
• Improving your ability to chew, eat and speak properly.
• Maintain the integrity and shape of your facial/mouth structure.
• Ensures that remaining natural teeth are not able to shift out of their natural position.
• Safeguards the even distribution of biting/chewing around the mouth.

There are four primary types of dental bridge that you can be fitted with:

1. Conventional dental bridge: This is the most popular dental bridge option and involves connecting replacement teeth to the anchoring crowns which are then attached to the adjacent teeth.

2. Cantilever dental bridge: This option is only used when a single natural tooth is available on the side of missing teeth. This option does however leave one side unsupported and requires healthy gums and strong surrounding tissues to work.

3. Maryland dental bridge: This is a type of dental bridge that requires a metal framework to support replacement teeth. While it is among the weakest type of dental bridge, it requires much less tooth preparation then the rest and can subsequently be performed the quickest.

4. Implant-supported dental bridge: This is the strongest type of dental bridge, similar to a conventional dental bridge, but relying on the support of a dental implant rather than adjacent teeth. In this option the dental implant is inserted into the jaw and the bridge is attached above the gumline. This type of bridge can prevent bone loss also.

If you would like more information on dental bridges please do not hesitate to give us a call.