“Why does my dental bridge keep falling off?” It’s one of the questions that we hear from new patients. There are several reasons your dental bridge may fall off, including retention and fit.
Retention
Your dental bridge may fall off if it is adhered to a shorter or smaller tooth. It can also be a matter of how the underlying tooth is shaped. When placing a dental bridge, the tooth may need to be reshaped to increase retention. If your tooth is shaped with angled sides, then there’s little retention to it.
The Fit
Fit is another reason a dental bridge falls off. Fit pertains to how accurate the crown fits in the prepared tooth. It should be stable to stop it from falling off. Your bridge should fit entirely to cover the entire tooth. There must be no gap between the crown and prepared tooth. Suitable cement must be used to prevent it from falling off.
If your dental bridge keeps falling off, it’s likely that there is a gap between your tooth and the crown, allowing the cement to deteriorate. A poor-fitting bridge can loosen and eventually fall off.
The best thing that you can do if your bridge is loose or has fallen off is to go back to your dentist. He or she will perform a dental examination to know what’s happening, and create a plan to avoid it from happening again. When you come to Nicholas S. St. George’s Clinic, we can give you a recommendation that will help you avoid tooth extraction.
Taking Care of Your Dental Bridge
A dental bridge can last for decades, as long as you take good care of it. It should be taken care for the way you maintain your permanent teeth. That is, you should clean it properly, brushing and flossing every day. It’s important to use a fluoride toothpaste when brushing your bridge.
Cleaning your dental bridge will reduce cavities. It also prevents the development of inflammation in your gum tissue. You should also see your dentist at least twice a year for a professional dental cleaning. It’s vital to get rid of plaque and bacteria that can’t be handled by tooth brushing and flossing. You may also use a mouth rinse to decrease the bacteria that can create problems under your bridge. When you invest in a proper toothbrush, floss and mouth rinse, you can maintain optimal oral health.
Failing dental bridges don’t repair themselves. If you don’t see your dentist right away when the bridge becomes loose or falls off, they can get worse over time. He or she can give you a range of options to help you restore your smile and avoid your dental bridge falling off again.