Although some dental bridges can last up to 35 years, most patients will need either a bridge replacement or restoration after between five and 20 years. In most cases, bridges need to be fixed after they begin failing. The specific cause of bridge failure varies, but it is most often the result of bacteria that grows around the bridge. This bacteria grows due to poor dental hygiene and it can affect both the bridge and the abutment teeth that are holding it up.
Bridge failure can also be brought on by decay or cracks in the abutment teeth. Problems with these teeth are often unseen since the teeth are covered by the bridge’s structure. However, patients can keep an eye out for increased gum and tooth sensitivity or pain when they are chewing since these are signs that the teeth are becoming damaged.
Finally, dental bridges may need restoration when the structure becomes loose or damaged. Loose bridges move either when they are touched or when a person eats or drinks. They cause sensitivity around the teeth and may result in such bite problems as an inability to grasp food. Once a bridge is loose, it has a higher risk of becoming damaged. Spotting bridge damage is fairly simple since it is accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth or dislodged pieces of porcelain.