Do I need a new dental bridge if I don’t have symptoms? I had my 6-month dental exam and cleaning last month, and it was time for x-rays. My dentist said an anchor tooth in my bridge was cracked. The bridge replaces a top right incisor. I don’t have any symptoms in my cracked tooth. Do I need a new bridge now? Yesterday, I canceled my follow-up appointment with my dentist. I need more time to determine whether I need treatment. Thank you. Tahlia from IL
Tahlia,
Your situation shows the superior stability and longevity of dental implants compared to bridges. Although a bridge may initially cost less, it depends on the health of the surrounding teeth. If one supporting tooth fails, you usually need to replace the entire bridge. An implant works independently. If a nearby tooth fails, the implant still functions as intended.
If one abutment tooth in your bridge cracks, a dentist would need to extract it. At that point, you would need a replacement bridge that covers two teeth instead of one, making treatment more complex.
Two factors raise concern about the idea of a cracked tooth:
- No pain with biting: Cracks in a tooth’s root typically trigger sharp pain when chewing on something hard. The absence of symptoms suggests another explanation.
- Crowned teeth resist cracks: Dentists use crowns to stabilize weakened teeth. Once covered, the crown prevents further cracking. Even in patients with powerful bites, root fractures in crowned teeth are highly unusual.
How to Get a Reliable Second Opinion for a Dental Bridge
Before agreeing to dental bridge replacement, consider getting a second opinion. Take these steps to ensure that the dentist’s assessment is independent:
- Do not mention your current dentist, as dentists in the same community often know one another.
- Keep details about the first diagnosis to a minimum.
- If asked directly, say you would like their honest opinion before sharing what your dentist recommended.
Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.