How Long Do Dental Bridges Usually Last?

Dental bridges are fixed replacements for a missing tooth or set of teeth. Bridges are secured to one or more natural teeth adjacent to the missing tooth using multiple methods, including placing crowns on the supported teeth, adhesive wings for resin-bonded bridges, and screws or abutments for bridges on implants.

High-quality dental ceramics help make dental bridges fused to a metal structure. Fixed bridges on teeth on implants provide excellent durability and aesthetics. However, the success of bridges depends on the overall condition of your mouth and remaining teeth, along with excellent at-home dental care and professional maintenance.

Dental Bridges: Are They Permanent?

After undergoing the procedure for getting dental bridges, you might be under the impression that the fixture is permanent and will remain in your mouth forever. Unfortunately, they are merely a long-lasting solution for your missing teeth.

Generally, you can expect bridges to last for 10 to 30 years, depending on the health of your remaining teeth and your mouth. The quality of your daily oral hygiene routine also contributes to the long-term maintenance of dental bridges.

A crucial factor determining the success of dental bridges depends on the experience and skill level of the dentist and attention to detail. Suppose you have dental bridges placed by Westwood Dental Group in Westwood, MA, a skilled and experienced dental professional. In that case, you can expect dental bridges to remain in your mouth for quite some time as long as you maintain great oral hygiene and get regular exams and cleanings. Whenever you require any dental work, you must also have a healthy mouth and keep up with your professional dental hygeine appointments.

How Often Do Dental Bridges Need Replacements?

You can expect dental bridges in Westwood, MA, to last for 20 to 25 years before needing repairs or replacements. However, you can always chip a bridge similar to your natural teeth, and the wear and tear bridges endure are different for every individual. How soon you might have to repair or replace bridges depends on your bite force, dietary habits, oral and general health, and oral hygiene and maintenance refularity.

After getting dental bridges to replace your missing teeth, using them for para-functional habits like biting your fingernails, chewing pens and pencils, ice, or using your teeth for purposes other than eating out chewing is detrimental. Para-functional practices result in excessive forces being applied on the edges of the teeth and dental ceramics, leading to fractures or chipping. The length of time you have the bridge in your mouth might differ from other patients with bridges.

Numerous studies have indicated various factors influence the survival and longevity of the dental bridge. They are:

• The experience, expertise, and attention to detail by the dentist and the dental technician performing the treatment.
• The health of the teeth supporting the bridge and the general dental health and oral hygiene.
• Your age when getting the restorations.
• The frequency of meetings for treatment and the level of maintenance and care.
• The type of restoration you had, whether new or replacement.

The longevity of dental bridges depends on the factors mentioned above and the quality of dental care you provide your teeth.

How Many Teeth Can You Have on a Dental Bridge?

The number of teeth you can have on a dental bridge depends on various factors. Our Westwood dentist considers the number of missing teeth and the overall condition of your supporting teeth, gums, bite force, position and angulation of the teeth, and other details best evaluated by a dentist.

Generally, we can replace four missing teeth between two abutments influenced by the factors detailed above. Bridges can also be more extensive to restore multiple gaps between more than two teeth or implants.

Conventional bridgework is generally implemented between one tooth and another, and your dentist will analyze your specific situation before advising the best option for you. If required, you can also have implants placed to provide additional support to the bridgework. However, if you are worried about the longevity of dental bridges, rest assured they will remain in your mouth for two decades or more, depending on various factors discussed in this article. Unfortunately, dental bridges aren’t considered permanent restorations and might require later replacements.

If you intend to replace your missing teeth with dental bridges, kindly schedule an appointment with Westwood Dental Group – formerly the office of Dr. Donald J McLellan – to receive a new bridge or get a replacement for the existing bridges.