10 Common Problems with Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth and restoring your smile’s function and aesthetics. However, like any dental prosthetic, bridges can experience various issues over time. Being aware of these potential problems and understanding how to prevent or address them is crucial for maintaining the longevity and effectiveness of your dental bridge.

In this article, we’ll explore 10 common problems with dental bridges and provide tips on how to keep your bridge in top condition.

Table of Contents

Poorly Fitting Bridges

One of the most common issues with dental bridges is a poor fit. This can lead to discomfort, irritation, and even damage to the surrounding teeth and gums.

Causes of ill-fitting Bridges

Improper impressions or measurements during the fabrication process
Changes in the shape of the supporting teeth or gums over time
Inadequate dental hygiene leading to tooth decay or gum disease

Symptoms of poorly fitting Bridges

Pain or sensitivity when biting or chewing
Visible gaps between the bridge and the gums
Difficulty cleaning around and under the bridge
Chronic bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth

Solutions for poorly fitting Bridges

Visit your dentist for an adjustment or replacement of the bridge
Maintain good oral hygiene habits to prevent further damage
Consider alternative tooth replacement options, such as dental implants, for a more secure and stable fit

Problem	Cause	Solution
Poorly fitting bridge	Improper fabrication, changes in supporting teeth/gums, poor dental hygiene	Dentist adjustment or replacement, maintain good oral hygiene, consider alternative tooth replacement options

Tooth Decay Under Bridge

Dental bridges rely on the adjacent teeth for support, making these teeth more susceptible to decay if proper oral hygiene is not maintained.

How Bridges can lead to Decay

Difficulty cleaning around and under the bridge, allowing plaque and bacteria to accumulate
Increased stress on the supporting teeth due to the added pressure of the bridge
Existing dental issues, such as cavities or gum disease that were not addressed before bridge placement

Importance of Oral Hygiene with Bridges

Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
Floss daily using a floss threader or super floss to clean under and around the bridge
Use an interdental brush or water flosser to remove plaque and food particles from hard-to-reach areas
Attend regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings to monitor the health of your bridge and supporting teeth

Treating Decay under bridges

Early detection and treatment of decay is crucial to prevent further damage
Your dentist may recommend a filling, crown, or root canal therapy depending on the extent of the decay
In severe cases, the bridge may need to be removed and replaced after treating the underlying decay

Problem	Prevention	Treatment
Tooth decay under bridge	Maintain good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups	Filling, crown, root canal therapy, bridge replacement

Gum Disease and Infection

Dental bridges can make it more challenging to maintain healthy gums, increasing the risk of gum disease and infection.

Bridges and Gum health

Ill-fitting bridges can irritate the gums and cause inflammation
Plaque and bacteria can accumulate around the base of the bridge, leading to gum disease
Existing gum disease can compromise the stability of the bridge and supporting teeth

Signs of Gum disease

Red, swollen, or tender gums
Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Receding gums or exposed tooth roots
Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth
Loose or shifting teeth

Treating Gum problems with bridges

Improve oral hygiene habits, including thorough brushing and flossing around the bridge
Use an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce bacteria and inflammation
Schedule regular dental cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup
In advanced cases, scaling and root planing or gum surgery may be necessary
Address any ill-fitting bridges or other dental issues that may be contributing to gum problems

Problem	Cause	Signs	Treatment
Gum disease and infection	Ill-fitting bridges, poor oral hygiene, existing gum disease	Red, swollen, or bleeding gums; bad breath; loose teeth	Improve oral hygiene, antiseptic mouthwash, regular dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, gum surgery, address ill-fitting bridges

Bridge Damage and Fractures

Dental bridges are subject to wear and tear over time, which can lead to damage or fractures.

Types of bridge damage

Chipping or cracking of the porcelain or ceramic surface
Fractures in the metal framework of the bridge
Wear or erosion of the biting surfaces
Damage caused by trauma or injury to the mouth

Causes of bridge fractures

Biting or chewing on hard objects, such as ice or hard candies
Grinding or clenching teeth (bruxism)
Improper bite alignment or uneven distribution of biting forces
Weakened supporting teeth or underlying decay

Repairing or replacing damaged bridges

Minor chips or cracks may be repaired with composite resin or dental bonding
More extensive damage may require the bridge to be replaced entirely
Your dentist will assess the extent of the damage and recommend the best course of action
Addressing underlying issues, such as bruxism or bite misalignment, can help prevent future damage

Problem	Cause	Repair Options
Bridge damage and fractures	Biting hard objects, bruxism, improper bite alignment, weakened supporting teeth	Composite resin or dental bonding for minor damage, bridge replacement for extensive damage, address underlying issues

Abutment Tooth Problems

The health and stability of the teeth supporting your dental bridge (abutment teeth) are crucial for the long-term success of your restoration.

Importance of healthy abutment teeth

Abutment teeth bear the additional stress and pressure of supporting the bridge
Healthy abutment teeth provide a stable foundation for the bridge and help distribute biting forces evenly
Damaged or decayed abutment teeth can compromise the stability and longevity of the bridge

Issues that can affect abutments

Tooth decay or cavities
Gum disease or recession
Root canal infections
Trauma or injury to the abutment teeth
Excessive wear or erosion of the tooth structure

Treating Abutment tooth problems

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings to monitor the health of the abutment teeth
Prompt treatment of any decay, gum disease, or other dental issues
Root canal therapy for infected abutment teeth
Crowns or other restorations to strengthen and protect damaged abutment teeth
In severe cases, the bridge may need to be removed and replaced with an alternative restoration, such as dental implants

Problem	Cause	Treatment
Abutment tooth problems	Tooth decay, gum disease, root canal infections, trauma, excessive wear	Regular dental check-ups, prompt treatment of dental issues, root canal therapy, crowns or restorations, bridge removal and replacement if necessary

Bite Issues and Discomfort

An improperly fitted or aligned dental bridge can lead to bite issues and discomfort.

How Bridges can affect Bite

Uneven distribution of biting forces due to improper bridge placement
Misaligned bite causing excessive wear on certain teeth
Interference with normal jaw function and movement

Symptoms of bite problems

Pain or sensitivity when biting or chewing
Difficulty or discomfort when speaking or eating
Uneven wear patterns on the bridge or surrounding teeth
Headaches, jaw pain, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Adjusting bridges for comfort

Your dentist can make minor adjustments to the bridge to improve the bite and alleviate discomfort
Bite equilibration involves selectively reshaping the biting surfaces of the bridge and surrounding teeth
In some cases, the bridge may need to be remade to achieve a proper fit and bite alignment
Addressing underlying bite issues, such as misaligned teeth or jaw problems, can help prevent future discomfort

Problem	Cause	Symptoms	Treatment
Bite issues and discomfort	Improper bridge placement, misaligned bite, interference with jaw function	Pain or sensitivity when biting, difficulty speaking or eating, uneven wear patterns, headaches or jaw pain	Minor adjustments, bite equilibration, bridge remake, address underlying bite issues

Aesthetic Concerns

While dental bridges are designed to match your natural teeth’ appearance closely, aesthetic issues can arise over time.

Causes of unnatural-looking bridges

Poor colour matching or staining of the bridge material
Gum recession exposing the metal margin of the bridge
Wear or damage to the bridge surface affecting its texture and sheen
Changes in the colour or position of the surrounding natural teeth

Impact on confidence and satisfaction

Unnatural-looking bridges can detract from the overall appearance of your smile
Aesthetic issues may lead to self-consciousness or reluctance to smile or speak in social situations
Dissatisfaction with the appearance of the bridge can impact your overall quality of life

Improving bridge appearance

Professional cleaning and polishing to remove surface stains and improve the sheen of the bridge
Gum grafting or contouring to address gum recession and improve the bridge’s integration with the gumline
Replacing the bridge with a new restoration that better matches the colour and appearance of your natural teeth
Whitening or other cosmetic treatments for the surrounding natural teeth to achieve a more harmonious smile

Problem	Cause	Impact	Solution
Aesthetic concerns	Poor colour matching, gum recession, wear or damage, changes in surrounding teeth	Self-consciousness, reluctance to smile, dissatisfaction with appearance	Professional cleaning and polishing, gum grafting or contouring, bridge replacement, whitening or cosmetic treatments for surrounding teeth

Allergic Reactions to Materials

In rare cases, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to the materials used in dental bridges.

Types of bridge materials

Metal alloys, such as gold, cobalt-chromium, or nickel-chromium
Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
All-ceramic or zirconia

Symptoms of allergic reactions

Itching, burning, or tingling sensations in the mouth
Redness, swelling, or inflammation of the gums or oral tissues
Dry mouth or altered taste sensations
Skin rashes or hives in other parts of the body

Choosing hypoallergenic materials

Discuss any known allergies or sensitivities with your dentist before bridge placement
Consider all-ceramic or zirconia bridges, which are metal-free and less likely to cause allergic reactions
In some cases, your dentist may recommend allergy testing to identify specific material sensitivities
If an allergic reaction occurs, the bridge may need to be removed and replaced with a restoration made from alternative materials

Problem	Cause	Symptoms	Solution
Allergic reactions to materials	Metal alloys, porcelain fused to metal	Itching, burning, or tingling in the mouth; redness, swelling, or inflammation; dry mouth or altered taste; skin rashes or hives	Discuss allergies with the dentist, consider all-ceramic or zirconia bridges, allergy testing, bridge removal and replacement with alternative materials

Bridge Failure and Loss

Dental bridges may eventually fail or fall out despite proper care and maintenance due to various factors.

Reasons bridges may fail

Decay or damage to the supporting teeth
Gum disease or bone loss around the abutment teeth
Excessive biting forces or trauma to the bridge
Wear or fatigue of the bridge materials over time

Signs of failing bridges

Looseness or movement of the bridge
Pain, sensitivity, or discomfort in the supporting teeth
Visible gaps or spaces between the bridge and the gums
Fractures or cracks in the bridge material

Replacing failed bridges

If a bridge fails or falls out, contact your dentist immediately for an evaluation
In some cases, the bridge may be re-cemented if the supporting teeth and gums are healthy
If the supporting teeth are damaged or decayed, they may need to be treated before a new bridge can be placed
Alternative tooth replacement options, such as dental implants, may be considered for improved stability and longevity

Problem	Cause	Signs	Solution
Bridge failure and loss	Decay or damage to supporting teeth, gum disease or bone loss, excessive biting forces, wear or fatigue of materials	Looseness or movement, pain or sensitivity, visible gaps, fractures or cracks	Contact a dentist for evaluation, re-cementation if possible, treat supporting teeth, consider alternative tooth replacement options

Preventing Dental Bridge Problems

While dental bridges can experience various issues, proper care and maintenance can prevent or minimise many of these problems.

Importance of proper fit and placement

Choose a skilled and experienced dentist for your bridge placement
Ensure that the bridge is custom-crafted to fit your unique dental anatomy
Attend regular check-ups to monitor the fit and function of your bridge

Maintaining good oral hygiene

Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
Floss daily using specialized tools, such as floss threaders or super floss, to clean under and around the bridge
Use an interdental brush or water flosser to remove plaque and food particles from hard-to-reach areas
Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce bacteria and freshen your breath

Regular dental check-ups

Schedule dental check-ups and professional cleanings every six months or as recommended by your dentist
During these visits, your dentist will examine the health of your bridge, supporting teeth, and gums
Early detection and treatment of any issues can help prolong the life of your bridge and prevent more severe problems

Prevention Strategy	Importance	Action Steps
Proper fit and placement	Ensures comfort, function, and longevity of the bridge	Choose a skilled dentist, ensure custom fit, and attend regular check-ups
Good oral hygiene	Prevents decay, gum disease, and other dental issues	Brush twice daily, floss daily with specialized tools, use an interdental brush or a water flosser, rinse with antiseptic mouthwash
Regular dental check-ups	Allows for early detection and treatment of problems	Schedule check-ups every six months and have a dentist examine the bridge, supporting teeth, and gums

Conclusion

Dental bridges are a valuable solution for replacing missing teeth and restoring the function and aesthetics of your smile. However, like any dental restoration, bridges can experience various problems over time. By understanding these common issues and taking proactive steps to prevent them, you can help ensure the longevity and success of your dental bridge.

Remember to maintain good oral hygiene habits, attend regular dental check-ups, and promptly address any concerns or changes in your bridge. With proper care and maintenance, your dental bridge can give you a confident, healthy smile for many years.

If you experience any problems discussed in this article, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment. By working closely with your dental team and staying informed about your oral health, you can minimize the risk of dental bridge problems and enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, functional smile.