If you have lost one or more teeth in a row, our top dentist in Houston may recommend a dental bridge. It looks and feels very natural. But a restoration that looks so seamless also has to withstand daily wear and tear like your natural teeth. Eventually, it may lose its snug fit or stability. Look out for these signs that suggest it might be time for you to consider dental bridge replacement.
1) Your bridge moves or wiggles
A dental bridge is fixed onto your healthy supporting teeth or implants. It’s meant to stay secure in one place. That’s exactly what makes it stand out against removable dentures.
When your bridge starts to feel loose, or you feel that it wiggles when you’re eating or speaking, that should not be overlooked. It may happen because the cement layer has weakened or there’s uneven biting pressure on your bridge.
Patients often describe this as “something feels off” with their restoration.
2) Pain or sensitivity while chewing
Dental bridge pain does not feel the same for everyone. Some of our Houston patients who have had a dental bridge for years come in and say that they have mild pain when they chew, but otherwise the bridge feels fine. Rarely, a few patients experience severe discomfort a couple of weeks or months later.
These changes might point to a problem with your supporting teeth (such as decay) or the bridge’s fit.
3) Food trapping more often than usual
Food debris and plaque accumulate normally around the teeth and dental work. But when you feel that food is getting stuck under or around your bridge more often than usual, it’s a sign that the seal between your bridge and supporting teeth has changed.
That constant food trapping is a risk to your teeth and gums. Some patients also explain that they find it hard to floss under the bridge because the floss thread catches in the same area.
4) Visible cracks or signs of damage
Dental bridges are quite durable. That’s not to say they can never get damaged. Your bridge withstands the same biting pressure that your natural teeth do and can wear down over time.
Patients who have had a bridge for a long time sometimes notice tiny cracks or a small chip on the surface. In such cases, our Houston dentist may recommend replacing the old bridge with a new one.
5) Changes in the gums around the bridge
When a dental bridge is failing, gums are often the first to react. Your gumline around the bridge may look red or swollen. You may also notice gum bleeding or that the gums around the margins of the bridge are pulling away.
These are clear signs that you should get your dental bridge evaluated.
In Short
Small changes in your dental bridge’s fit or comfort are easy to overlook. But these problems may get worse over time, eventually necessitating a replacement. If you notice any of these signs, consult our dental experts at Hickerson Dental & Associates right away. Call us at (713) 782-3123 to schedule your visit.