Dental bridges can be a beautiful and effective way to rebuild 1 to 4 missing teeth in a row. They’re usually made from resilient ceramic that can be customized to match the size, shape, and tone of your natural enamel for lifelike results no one is likely to notice.
This material can also last between 5 and 15+ years if cared for correctly, but if the underlying teeth develop damage or decay, your restoration might become destabilized or dislodged. Continue reading to learn about 4 steps to take to get help quickly if you’ve just lost your dental bridge!
Step #1: Find Any Pieces
Your prosthetic is built to withstand the pressure of daily biting and chewing, but it’s not invincible. If you’ve bitten into something too hard, crunchy, or sticky, you could damage the material or push your replacement teeth out of position.
In some cases, your dentist can reattach or repurpose it, so do your best to locate the lost bridge or any larger pieces. Remember to try not to swallow any potentially harmful bits that may have broken off in your mouth.
Step #2: Try To Reinsert It
Then, to prevent further damage, rinse your bridge under gently running water to remove any dirt or debris, then store it somewhere safe where you’ll remember to bring it to your dental appointment. If it’s mostly in good condition and the underlying teeth are strong enough to support it, you can use temporary dental cement or sugarless gum to gently reposition it.
Otherwise, keep it in a container to bring to your dentist’s office so they can repair or replace it.
Step #3: Address Any Aches
If you sustained an injury or have underlying dental decay that caused your restoration to fail, you might also feel sensitive, sore, or swollen. Many patients can ease associated aches or inflammation by taking the recommended dosage of over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or placing a cold compress against the tender side of the face for about 10 minutes for temporary relief.
Step #4: Contact Your Dentist
Finally, if you haven’t already done so, it’s time to contact your dentist. Many offer emergency services for urgent issues and use advanced technology to deliver faster, more accurate treatment. For example, if your dentist has CEREC software and a milling machine in the office, they may be able to carve and attach a new dental bridge in a single appointment.
The longer you wait to repair or replace your dislodged dental bridge, the more likely you are to develop additional injuries, disease, or decay, so contact your provider sooner rather than later!
About the Practice
At Columbia Healthy Smiles, you and your family benefit from a husband-and-wife dental team passionate about helping people of all ages build and maintain strong, healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Abe and Dr. Philip Batson are incredibly accomplished providers, and they collaborate together to offer a complete menu of services, including emergency appointments and same-day restorations, using state-of-the-art equipment for comfortable, accurate results meant to last. If you’ve lost a dental bridge, you can request an appointment on the website or call (573) 875-7071.