How Long does a Dental Bridge Last?
If you find it necessary to get replacement teeth, you will want them to both look and function as close as possible to your natural teeth. You would like them to last as long as your teeth also. Are those goals possible with a belvidere dental bridge and if not, how long does a dental bridge usually last? There are points of interest that can maximize your dental bridge's lifespan, how long the restoration will last with proper care, and how the bridge functions to keep you smiling.
Why Do You Need a Dental Bridge?
When you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, it can affect you in several ways. A dental bridge will address those issues, including:
- Restoring your ability to chew properly.
- Will maintain the natural shape of your face.
- Will restore your healthy smile.
- Allows you to retain your speech and pronunciation.
- Will re-adjust your bite alignment to properly distribute the pressure when you chew.
- Prevents your remaining teeth from drifting into the gap.
The Difference Between Removable and Fixed Bridges?
Removable bridges have crowns on both sides that clip on to your adjoining existing teeth. If you chose this impermanent tooth restoration, you would need to take it out every day to clean. Removable bridges are often chosen over fixed bridges because they come at a lower cost.
There are two types of fixed bridges. One is much like a removable bridge in that each end of the bridge is secured by a natural tooth. The difference is that the dental crowns are cemented permanently in place.
The other type of fixed dental bridge is secured by a dental implant, which is surgically placed in your jawbone. There are three million Americans that have successful dental implants, and that number is growing by 500,000 every year. These titanium implants become anchored and secured to your jawbone through osseointegration, the process of bonding and fusing together. This process provides stable support like your natural tooth. After the titanium post has bonded, an abutment or extension is added, and the dental bridge can be built on top of this abutment.
Whichever of these dental bridges is best for you, it can be vital in maintaining your oral health. Gaps left by missing teeth will cause your neighboring teeth to begin shifting into the empty space, resulting in a bad bite alignment. Missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
How Long Will a Dental Bridge Last?
The dental industry has published varying opinions on how long dental bridges can last. The life expectancy is largely impacted by your oral care routine, your diet, and your lifestyle. Dental bridges can last at least five to seven years, and by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist for regular exams, it could easily last over 10 years, and they have been known to last even a lifetime.
How to Care for Your Dental Bridge
Proper care for dental bridge requires exercising good oral hygiene just as you would with your natural teeth. Brush at least twice a day, floss or clean between your teeth at least once a day and consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse. See your dentist every six months for regular cleanings, not only to keep your teeth white and bacteria-free but also to maintain the condition of your dental bridge.