Before any relationship or long-term investment begins, you should do your best to try to understand what you’re getting into and what you can expect. Getting a dental bridge, for example, seems fast for tooth replacement, but can you expect it to last the rest of your life? How often will you need to replace it in the future? Although you can’t always predict the curve balls life throws, you need an idea of how long your wonderful dental bridge will last and what you can do to maximize your time with this restoration!
What Are Great Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge?
For tooth replacement, dental bridges offer an appealing option because they are efficient and effective. Instead of having to endure up to a year of dental treatment and healing for an implant, you can complete your smile in just a few weeks! In the same amount of time it takes to get a crown, a bridge can make sure no one will be able to tell you lost a tooth at all.
Even if you get an implant bridge, where the prosthetic is anchored to implant posts instead of healthy teeth, you can replace multiple teeth with just one restoration, rather than one-for-one substitution. It’s easy to see why you’d be interested in keeping this alternative for the maximum time.
How Long Do Dental Bridges Typically Last?
Cases vary in terms of lifespans for restorations, including dental bridges; however, these replacements usually need to be replaced about every 10 to 15 years at most from normal wear and tear on the porcelain as well as potential changes to your jawbone density over time. Note that implant bridges tend to function longer. Ultimately, the lifespan of your dental bridge will largely depend on the maintenance you provide for it. Without care, it may require replacement after just a couple of years.
How Can I Make My Dental Bridge Last as Long as Possible?
Knowing you have some control over how long your bridge serves you can give you some confidence in your smile. Fortunately, the task of caring for this restoration is rather simple. You need to treat your bridge as you would a natural tooth with daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist. Other choices, such as drinking more water and having less sugar in your diet, can also help extend its lifespan.
Although the porcelain material in a bridge can’t decay, plaque with bacteria can still stick to this restoration and infect your gum tissue. Without professional oversight and careful hygiene, these bacteria can spread the infection to the jawbone that degrades and pulls away from your natural teeth. Eventually, teeth feel loose and can even come out entirely! These small but essential habits can preserve your full smile much longer than negligence.
With this understanding, you can feel ready to commit to a tooth replacement. Reasonable expectations can help set you up for success and a positive experience with your replacement teeth.
About the Practice
Temple Choice Dental has six highly educated and experienced dentists on staff, and we take every opportunity to customize treatment to your unique needs. Although we offer traditional tooth replacement, our practice also provides more advanced care, and we will work with you and your insurance to take advantage of available savings. If you are ready to have a complete smile again, call our office in Temple at 254-727-7144 or visit our website to schedule your consultation.