Replacing Your Bridge

Are you thinking about replacing your bridge? Dental bridges are cemented in place and are not removable. They replace one or more teeth. In the past, it was the best treatment dentistry had to offer--the closest to having your own teeth. Now, there is something better. Dental implants have been perfected to the point where they are now considered the best option for replacing a missing tooth in most situations. They have become a routine and mainstream procedure.

If you already had a bridge done, you can still consider implant treatment when it is time to replace the bridge. Nothing lasts forever and eventually your bridge will need to replaced.

Some advantages that implants have over bridges include the following:

• anchored in bone
• not connected to natural teeth
• preserves bone where it would be lost without a tooth
• easier to clean
• won't decay
• can look and feel more natural

Let's say you have a three unit bridge on the lower right side. You lost a tooth ten years ago and had the bridge placed soon after. You have never liked to thread the floss underneath it, so most often you don't and when you do, it bleeds like crazy. It bleeds because you don't clean under there often enough and the bacteria grow and cause tissue inflammation. This can also be a source of bad breath. When the time comes for replacing the bridge,you can have an implant placed. The three teeth will no longer be hooked together and it will not be necessary to use a floss threader. It will be easier to keep clean which can make the whole area healthier.

The scenario above will cost you a little more initially due to the implant, but in the long run, you are now dealing with three separate teeth, so if something happens to one, it doesn't affect the others.

If you are considering an implant in the future, you should have the site evaluated as soon as possible to see if the bone is adequate to support an implant. There may be some planning to do. Sometimes additional bone can be selectively added. Also, the rate of bone resorption can be monitored. You may be given a time line to follow for best results. If the bone is resorbing fast, it may be advisable to place an implant to preserve bone before it resorbs too much.

Dental implants should be considered as the best treatment option when replacing lost teeth. At this time, plans should be made for future implants in individuals who currently have bridges.

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