What to Do If Your Dental Bridge Falls Out  

A dental bridge is used to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. Bridges are either anchored in place by dental crowns on the teeth on either side of the space or held in place by dental implants. Though dental bridges can generally last an average of five to 15 years, there are still a few things that can cause them to fall out. Read on to learn what can lead to dental bridge failure as well as what you should do if yours falls out.

Tooth Decay

The replacement tooth of a dental bridge and the dental crowns it’s attached to can’t get cavities, but the underlying teeth are still vulnerable to decay. If you don’t brush twice and floss at least once per day, plaque buildups may eventually cause cavities to form. If the decay gets bad enough, there may not be enough tooth structure left to support a crown, which will lead to dental bridge failure.

Gum Disease

Extreme tooth decay may lead to gum disease. If the gum infection gets bad enough, it can lead to tooth loss. If the teeth that the bridge is anchored to fall out, this can cause it to fail.

Irregular Bite Pattern

If you have an irregular bite pattern, this means that a component of your bridge is too high or low on the chewing surface. This leads to an uneven distribution of pressure, which will cause it to loosen over time and may even result in it detaching completely.

What to Do If Your Dental Bridge Fell Out

If your dental bridge falls out, follow these steps:

• Step #1: Stay calm – Take a deep breath. Accidents happen, but your emergency dentist will be able to get the situation under control
• Step #2: Call your dentist – Once you’ve calmed yourself down, call your dentist’s office. Explain what happened, and they will guide you through next steps and help you schedule an appointment to have the bridge reattached.
• Step #3: Keep it safe – Put the bridge in a plastic sandwich bag or storage case to keep it safe until your dentist can see you.
• Step #4: Be careful – If your bridge fell out before or after your dentist’s office hours, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Don’t eat or drink anything too hot or cold to lessen sensitivity.

Losing your dental bridge can be a cause for concern, but your emergency dentist will be able to determine what caused it so they can administer the necessary treatment. With good oral hygiene, you can lessen your chances of dental bridge failure and keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come!

About the Practice

If you need to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth, DeMartino Dental Group is the place to be. Led by Dr. Nélida Garcia-DeMartino and Dr. Jeffrey R. DeMartino, they offer tooth replacement options like dental bridges to fill in the gaps in your grin. If your bridge falls out, they can walk you through next steps and get you into the office as soon as possible to repair your smile. To make an appointment or for more information on what to do if your dental bridge fell out, visit DeMartino Dental Group’s website or call them at (908) 859-5260.