Question:
Due to an auto accident many years ago, I currently have a partial
plate for my three front teeth. I would like replace the partial
with a bridge, my supporting teeth are healthy for this procedure
according to my dentist. (not enought bone for implants). My
concern is internet research seems to indicate bridges last only
3 to 5 years, some sites say up to ten years. If a bridge does
fail after 3 years, then what? Are the teeth fractured that hold the
bridge?
Does the bridge just wear out and have to be replaced? It seems to me
the bridges are not a long term dental option. Is the 3-5 year
longevity stated so if the bridge does fail it does not come back on the
dentist as not doing the proper dental work? I know each individual is
different but what is the normal life span of a dental bridge?
Answer:
If its done right, twenty or thirty years is reasonable.
NOW if you have dental insurance, run like hell because insurance will
pay to replace it AFTER FIVE years!
Get it?
The statistics are locked up though.
The old problem is getting anyone to do the bridge and in five years
you cannot even remember his name!
The next guy will want to replace it as it is NOW five years old.
For 3 font teeth, I would really prefer implants
This is why the Local Guy Who Does Implants and Gives Courses recommends
to NOT prep/include the 1st PM along with the canine. IHO, you're better
off hanging those anterior cantilevers from the canines only.
If you look through your patient base, you will see that 6-unit (or 8-unit)
FPD replacing front teeth do NOT succeed in narrow arches. If the curve
from cuspid to cuspid (as seen from the incisal) is almost flat, the FPD
will be fine. If there is a fair amount of anterior curve to this arch,
forget it. The case will fail in just a few very short years.
Steve is saying that the nature of the dental arch itself will create
a cantilever effect as the maximum curvature of the arch is outside
the area of support ......
