Bridges (Dentistry)

If you feel bad enough about it to put it on here--you should get it done. Our teeth can age us and no amount of exercise, makeup and new clothes can erase aged teeth.

Maybe your dentist can use the shaved down ones as anchors for veneers and the space (well I am unsure how he will coonceal that) but its worth the consultation.

To pay for it just know that for the next few years--no new clothes, vacations or any upgrades in furntiure/car/computers. I think it and you are worth it!

Rhonda I am in the exact same position...........I didn't have the two bottom center adult teeth so after my braces were removed I had a bridge installed. That bridge didn't last long because it was just cemented to the next two teeth and had the two fake ones in the middle of it. So when I was in college I got a real bridge where they filed down the two teeth on either side and it has the two fake teeth in the middle. This bridge has lasted for over 20 years because I am 44 now. I don't like the way mine looks so I am actually going through the process of getting a new one also. Currently, I am bleaching my teeth to the color I want so the bridge can be matched to the color I want to keep my teeth.

If your bridge doesn't bother YOU, then why pay to have a new one?

My husband has a bridge (rugby accident... yikes), and you literally can't tell. When I look at him, I honestly have no idea which tooth it is. However, he went to one of the top cosmetic dentists in San Francisco to have it done, and it cost a fortune. He also had to have gum surgery so it would look natural with his bridge. :(

More recently, he had a tooth break right at the gum line, so they couldn't cap it. This time, he opted for an implant. Now, that wasn't cheap either, but it functions and looks just like a real tooth, and will last his whole life. As you know, bridges can complicate your dental care (for instance, if you have to get a filling on one of the supporting teeth, you can end up having to replace the bridge, which is no fun). So... if you're thinking of getting a new bridge, you may want to ask about implants. The process is pretty long to get them (they have to place the post, and then the jaw has to heal completely, which takes about 2 months). But you'd never have to worry about them again.

Good luck. Dental care is so expensive, and so little fun. :-/

I have a bridge but it's in the back and you can't see it. I've had it for about 6 years I think. I have been told by at least 3 dentists that once you have it in, you want to keep it there as long as you can. The only reason you should ever replace it, is if you get a cavity on the shaved teeth, or there is an infection or it's cracked or something wrong with it. If there is nothing wrong with it, I would leave it. If it's just for cosmetic reasons, I would just leave it. Good luck with your decision!

Rhonda - good morning!!!!

if it bothers you - then find a way to get it fixed. Technology has changed but not that much. You might need orthodontic care. I don't know. I've not seen your mouth!! :)

Bottom line is you need to do what is going to work for you and that you can afford!!

Ugg, I have a bridge and just had to have it re-done over the last 2 months. Mine is on the bottom towards the back so you can't really see it. When I was a kid I had a baby tooth come out and no adult tooth came to replace it, so I had a temporary bridge for a few years and then around age 20 they did the real bridge where they filed down the 2 teeth next to the empty space. I had to have it re-done very recently b/c one of the anchor teeth got a cavity. I have a $1500 dental max and still paid about $2500 out of pocket. It looks exactly the same as the one I had before, if anything I think my first one was a better fit (having bite issues now). My dentist tells me that if I had that issue today (no adult tooth), no way would they ever have put a bridge in, they would have done an implant. Implant technology didn't exist when I had this done. Bottom line, I would not mess with that bridge unless you have to for dental/medical reasons. Its a painful and expensive process. I wish I could have replaced the bridge with 3 implants, but that would have cost approx $10k. :(

I had a bridge made when I was 17 and it needs to be replaced. The dentist quoted me a price and that was with insurance. I will be getting it next year as several things have come up but I want it before I retire and can eat that apple again.

I don't know if one of those one day deals would work or you want your dentist can do it.

Dental work has improved I just don't know how much for this type of thing.

The other S.