How long does a dental bridge last? Cleaning under a bridge and when it needs replacing
A well-planned, well-cared-for dental bridge usually lasts ten years or more, and many stay in the mouth much longer. What decides a bridge’s lifespan most is the health of the teeth that support it: decay or gum disease starting in those teeth, more than the bridge material, is what leads to replacement. That’s why cleaning under and around the bridge every day is the most important habit for making it last.
How does a bridge work?
A bridge is made by crowning the teeth on either side of the gap and joining a false tooth (pontic) between those crowns to replace the missing tooth. The pontic sits on the gum but isn’t attached to it, so the area underneath needs special cleaning. We compare bridges and implants in implant or bridge.
What shortens a bridge’s life?
- Decay in a supporting tooth: Decay starting at the edge of a crown is the most common reason a bridge needs replacing. If it progresses, root canal treatment may be needed.
- Gum disease: Plaque building up under the bridge can lead to gum inflammation and bone loss. See how to treat gum inflammation.
- Clenching and grinding: Can crack the porcelain or loosen the bridge. See teeth grinding and night guards.
- Hard foods: Biting nutshells, ice or fruit stones with a bridge can break the porcelain.
- Long bridges: Bridges that carry several missing teeth on few supporting teeth are under more load.
Get your bridge checked if you notice these
| Sign | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Smell or bad taste from under the bridge | Plaque build-up, decay under a crown |
| Sensitivity to hot or cold in a supporting tooth | Gap at the edge, decay, gum recession |
| The bridge moving or flexing when you bite | Cement washing out, a problem in a supporting tooth |
| A dark line at the edge of a crown | Gum recession or a metal framework |
| A crack or chip in the porcelain | Clenching, hard biting |
| Bleeding or swollen gums | Gum inflammation |
We explain the causes of smell and darkening in pain and smell from a crowned tooth and dark gums around a crown.
How to clean under a bridge
Ordinary floss can’t pass under a bridge, so one of these tools is used:
- Floss threader: A flexible loop for pulling ordinary floss under the bridge.
- Super floss: A special floss with one stiff end and a spongy middle section, well suited to wiping under a bridge.
- Interdental brush: Used if there’s enough space between the bridge and the gum.
- Water flosser: Helps rinse out debris under the bridge, but doesn’t replace floss on its own. See electric brushes and water flossers.
Wipe under the pontic from front to back a few times, then clean the sides of the supporting teeth facing the bridge. For technique, see how to floss.
Can a bridge be repaired?
- A small porcelain chip: Can sometimes be repaired in the mouth with composite.
- The bridge coming off: If the bridge and supporting teeth are sound, it can be re-cemented. Keep the bridge and bring it to the clinic; don’t try to fix it with household glue. See my filling fell out or my crown came off.
- Decay in a supporting tooth: Usually the bridge has to be removed, the tooth treated and a new bridge made.
Options when a bridge needs replacing
When a bridge needs replacing, depending on the supporting teeth, a new bridge can be made, or an implant can be placed in the gap and the neighbouring teeth crowned separately. Zirconia is the most common material; we cover the habits that affect its lifespan in how long zirconia crowns last. Options for a single missing tooth are in a single missing tooth.
Bridge check-ups at Dent32 in Beylikdüzü
At check-ups we examine the edges of the bridge, the supporting teeth and the gums, using X-rays if needed. We show you in your own mouth how to clean under the bridge with the tool that suits you.
Dent32 is at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul and is open seven days a week. To book, call or WhatsApp +90 555 011 33 68, or use our contact page. At the examination we share the findings, the options and the approximate cost in writing; you are under no obligation to start treatment afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a dental bridge last on average?
A well-planned, well-cared-for bridge usually lasts ten years or more, and many last much longer. The health of the supporting teeth matters most.
Is it normal for a bridge to smell?
No. It usually comes from plaque under the bridge or decay at the edge of a crown, and should be checked.
How do you clean under a bridge?
With a floss threader, super floss or an interdental brush of the right size. A water flosser helps but isn’t enough on its own.
My bridge came off. Can it be put back?
If the bridge and supporting teeth are sound, it can usually be re-cemented. Keep the bridge and bring it to the clinic; don’t use household glue.
Does a bridge or an implant last longer?
Both can last many years. An implant doesn’t involve the neighbouring teeth, while a bridge’s lifespan depends on the health of the supporting teeth. The choice depends on your mouth.
