What Can Be Done about Space under a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a good tooth replacement option. But one of the reasons why a dental bridge is not as good as dental implants is that bridges don’t support your bones and gums. As a result, you might experience bone loss and gum loss, leading to the appearance of space between the bridge and your gums. The risk of this increases with the age of the bridge and the size of the bridge.

But once this develops, it can make you unhappy with the appearance of your restoration. Fortunately, there are options to fix the problem.

Option 1: Extend the Bridge

One simple option is to extend the height of the dental bridge. The false teeth can be abraded to allow an extension to be bonded to the bottom of the bridge. This will conceal the space under the bridge. The extension can be a combination of artificial tooth and gum tissue that can then restore a natural, proportionate appearance for your smile.

This is only a good option if the bridge is still healthy and functional.

Option 2: Gum Liner

Another option is to get a soft replacement for the gum tissue. The material looks similar to the gum tissue on dentures, and it can fit in the gap under the bridge. It will hold in place and give a cosmetic result. It’s not highly durable, and it would need to be replaced regularly.

Option 3: Artificial Graft

Another option is to try to build up your gum tissue by inserting inert material underneath. This material would bulk up your gums, and because it’s inert it would remain in the space, providing a semipermanent solution to the problem. It may be a challenge to merge the gum tissue with the bridge aesthetically, and there is increased risk of infection at the graft site.

Option 4: True Graft

Another option is to rebuild your jaw by grafting bone material under the gums. When this heals, your jawbone will be about the size and proportion it had been when the bridge was installed. The problem is that without any kind of support this new jawbone will probably follow a similar fate as the original jawbone.

Option 5: Dental Implants

The best solution may be to get dental implants to replace the dental bridge. This will probably require the use of a true graft to ensure there’s enough jawbone to support the dental implants. But once the implants are in place, they will anchor and stimulate the bone, helping to maintain it. Although there may be some bone loss, it won’t be the same level–it won’t show under the replacement restoration that you get.

We’ll Find the Best Option for You

If you are unhappy with the appearance of any current restoration, we can help. Nashville cosmetic dentist Dr. Kent E. White has extensive expertise at helping people turn dental concerns into dental joy. If you would like to learn what solution he might propose in your case, please call (615) 383-6787 today for an appointment at the Center for Advanced Dentistry.