A dental bridge can fill in the gap in your smile left by one or more missing teeth. However, while this prosthesis is meant to stay anchored to your natural teeth, it could potentially end up falling out of your mouth. Why might this happen? And what should you do if it does? Your dentist is here to provide the answers to these questions in order to make sure you’re prepared if the unexpected occurs.
What Can Cause a Dental Bridge to Fall Out?
There are actually several reasons why a dental bridge might fall out:
- The teeth that the bridge is attached to – also known as the abutment teeth – may be suffering from decay. This can weaken them to the point where they can no longer support your prosthesis.
- The abutment teeth may have been too short or weak for a dental bridge to begin with.
- You may have an irregular bite that is putting too much pressure on your dental bridge, damaging it over time and even potentially dislodging it.
- A sudden blow to the face or mouth may knock the dental bridge off of the abutment teeth.
What Should You Do If a Dental Bridge Falls Out?
Losing a dental bridge isn’t necessarily an emergency, but it will leave you with empty space in your smile; you’ll therefore want to have the issue resolved as soon as possible.
Your first step should be to call your dentist in order to set up an appointment. Remember to bring your bridge with you to the dental office. Once you arrive, your dentist will take a closer look at your mouth as well as your prosthesis to figure out exactly what went wrong. Then they can determine the best next steps for restoring your smile.
If the dental bridge is relatively new and still in good enough shape, your dentist may be able to place it back on your abutment teeth after the necessary repairs have been performed. However, a badly damaged bridge may need to be replaced altogether. Furthermore, if your abutment teeth are decayed or injured, they may need to be treated before a bridge can be anchored to them again.
There’s no need to panic if your dental bridge falls out. As long as you stay calm and reach out to your dentist in a timely manner, it won’t be too long before you’re able to enjoy a complete smile again.
About the Author
Dr. Alison Garrad is a graduate of the Texas A&M College of Dentistry. She appreciates how her job gives her the opportunity to improve the quality of her patients’ lives. At Stone Street Dental in Greenville, she provides lifelike dental bridges that can be used to replace multiple consecutive teeth. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Garrad, visit her website or call (903) 455-6075.
