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Reasons for the Need of Dental Bridge Repair
Dental bridges are made to last for years. But they eventually need repair or replacing. For those who do not know much about dental bridge, it is a dental appliance which is fitted in the place of missed tooth or teeth. A bridge is usually anchored by healthy teeth on both sides of the missed teeth. These healthy teeth are also called abutment teeth. A dental bridge requires repair or replacement when it is cracked or when your dentist identifies any other issue.
Reasons for the failure of dental bridge
Dental bridges are usually made of porcelain or ceramic. These materials are fused to metal frames. If you are being careless in maintaining these bridges, you may get them failed. These bridges also allow the bacteria to enter into them and cause infections to abutment teeth. Moreover, extensive pressure on abutment teeth can cause them to fracture.
Apart from the breakage or fracture, another problem with dental bridges is that it, sometimes, doesn’t quite fit well in the mouth or it differs from the other teeth in the mouth in terms of color.
Time at which they need to be fixed
Although dental bridges provide quite long-term solution for the missing teeth, it is not the permanent solution. These bridges typically stay in the mouth for 15 years without causing much of the problem. However, the problems with abutment teeth aren’t usually visible because those teeth are covered. So, any kind of pain in teeth and gums or added sensitivity may indicate that your dental bridge needs to be checked and repaired. In case the bridge gets fractured or broken, you will start feeling something broken in the area. Furthermore, the pieces of porcelain may also fall off. In these scenarios, you need to visit your dentist to have the bridge and your dental health analyzed.
Repair of dental bridges
The repair of dental bridge depends upon the type of problem it has. The problem with abutment tooth is going to require the removal of bridge which could be permanently fixed with the abutment teeth. If it is permanently fixed, the dentist will have to break the bridge. After the treatment of abutment teeth, it will be checked if these teeth are still healthy to support the bridge. If they are healthy, a replacement bridge is going to be attached.
However, if the abutment tooth is not healthy or it needs removal, you may decide to have a dental implant which is quite permanent tooth like a natural tooth. This implanted tooth can be used as an abutment tooth.
Protect your Mouth from Bacteria – Biofilm Formation
Whether you know or not, we have bacteria in our mouths. Everyone’s mouth has bacteria. Our mouths are full of bacteria. We have good and bad bacteria in our mouths. However, biofilm can develop in our mouths. Biofilm is an organized and complicated community of bacteria and other microorganisms. Therefore, the formation of biofilm in our mouths take time. Biofilm can cause several dental diseases. Biofilm formation is harmful bacteria for our dental health. Biofilm can cause tooth decay, gums disease, swelling, and inflammation.
Phases of Biofilm Formation
Well, according to an article published in High Throughput, biofilm formation has three stages.
Phase 1 – Planktonic Phase
During phase 1, the free-floating bacteria in the mouth, stick to the biomaterial surface quickly. However, in this phase, the bacteria make initial contact with the biomaterial surface of the mouth. The free-floating bacteria can stick to the surface randomly or by a chemical attraction.
Phase 2 - Biofilm Phase
During phase 2, bacteria form colonies in the mouth. The bacteria come together into groups and stick to the oral surface. In this phase, bacteria excrete extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). However, the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) can form complex communities of bacteria in the mouth.
Phase 3 - Dispersion Phase
During phase 3, biofilm gets mature and detach the bacteria. Therefore, the bacteria on the surface now form new colonies in the mouth. This is the dangerous stage of biofilm formation. Phase 3 can cause several oral diseases. When bacteria disperse, it infects new areas in the mouth. However, this is the threatening and harmful stage.
Harmful or Bad Oral Bacteria
According to an article published in the Journal of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, a human mouth contains over seven hundred (700) species of bacteria. The 700 species of the bacteria will present in your mouth as long as your mouth is clean. If you clean your mouth regularly, the bacteria will still present in your mouth. However, the bacteria would not harm your oral health. But in case, these bacteria get disturbed, then they will cause oral diseases. When the 700 species bacteria get disturbed, they develop harmful bacteria. Harmful bacteria can cause tooth decay, gum diseases, tooth loss, bleeding, inflammation, and swelling. Some dangerous bacterial found in a biofilm are Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Actinomyces.
Some Common Oral Diseases Caused by Harmful Bacteria
As I mentioned above, harmful bacteria can cause some oral health problems. However, we shall discuss here some common oral diseases.
There are 3 main types of oral diseases caused by dental films or harmful bacteria.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can destruct the outer layer of the enamel. Every second person is suffering from tooth decay. However, every person should be vigilant regarding oral health. Tooth decay is a particular type of bacteria in biofilms. This type of bacteria prefers acidic conditions. The acidic component weakens the outer layer of enamel. The weaken enamel causes tooth decay. The food that contains a high level of sugar causes tooth decay. The acid and sugar can weaken the enamel can lead to tooth decay.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation in the gums. You feel bleeding in your gums due to the accumulation of plaque. When plaque accumulates in your gumlines, it causes inflammation in the gums. Moreover, you will see redness in your gums. And, you will feel that your gums are getting swell. However, gingivitis is also a result of harmful bacteria.
Periodontitis
Periodontists can damage the bone around the tooth. If your gums continue to swell and bleed, it can lead to a gradual loss of supporting bone of a tooth. And, the supporting bone is irreversible. However, you can lose your tooth permanently.