What shortens a bridge's life

Notice that every one of these is about what is around the bridge, not the porcelain. Porcelain does not decay. The teeth holding it do.

• Decay at the edge of the anchor crowns, where food and plaque collect
• Gum disease around the anchor teeth, which loosens their support
• Grinding or clenching, which overloads the whole span
• Not cleaning under the false tooth, which lets plaque sit against the gum

Cleaning under the bridge

You cannot floss a bridge the normal way because the teeth are joined. Frank, our hygienist, will show you floss threaders or a water flosser, which get under the false tooth and along the anchor crowns. Once a day is enough. Skipping it is the single most common reason I see bridges fail early.

If food keeps trapping under your bridge, that is worth a visit. It can mean the gum has receded and left a gap, which changes how you clean it.

What I check at your exams

I run an explorer along the crown margins to feel for openings, check the X-ray for decay under the anchors, measure the gums around them, and press on the bridge to make sure nothing moves. If I find a small problem at the edge, I can sometimes seal or repair it. If decay has gone under an anchor, the bridge usually has to come off to treat the tooth.

Signs it needs attention

When a bridge does need replacing, we talk honestly about whether a new bridge or an implant is the better choice this time. That depends on the anchor teeth and the bone under the gap. Most PPO plans cover a portion of either. We verify first.

• Food trapping that did not happen before
• Sensitivity in an anchor tooth to cold or sweet
• A dark line or gap at a crown edge
• Any movement when you press on it
• Bad taste or smell from around it