Dental Bridge Open Margin
What Is A Dental Bridge Open Margin?
A Dental Bridge is a prosthetic dental appliance that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of two or more dental crowns that are placed on the teeth on either side of the gap created by the missing teeth, with a false tooth or teeth (pontic) in between them. The dental bridge is then anchored in place by cementing it to the adjacent teeth, which serve as abutments. When designing the dental bridge, there should be a smooth, continuous surface from tooth to bridge that will prevent bacteria and food from getting trapped at the margin.
A “Dental Bridge Open Margin” can occur when the bridge doesn’t fit tightly against the tooth, leaving a small gap or space between the bridge and the tooth’s surface. This space can sometimes only be seen on a dental x-ray image, like in the image above. It can be caused various reasons, including improper cementation of the bridge, or poor initial bridge design. If left untreated, the open margin can lead to several oral health problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, dental pain, and even tooth loss. Therefore, it’s essential to identify and address the issue promptly.
Before you contact a Toronto dentist to examine a Dental Bridge Open Margin, there are some things you should know as a patient:
- Why Do I Have A Dental Bridge Open Margin?
- Signs And Symptoms Of A Dental Bridge Open Margin
- Treatment Options For A Dental Bridge Open Margin
- How To Prevent A Dental Bridge Open Margin
- Managing A Dental Bridge Open Margin Until You Can See The Dentist
If you have questions about a Dental Bridge Open Margin or other dental problems, please contact us for more information.
Why Do I Have A Dental Bridge Open Margin?
A Dental Bridge Open Margin can occur for various reasons, including:
- Poor Bridge Design: When the dental laboratory designs your permanent dental bridge, they should ensure that the margin of the tooth preparation is flush with the bridge margin design. In doing so, there should be a smooth, continuous surface from tooth to bridge that will prevent bacteria and food from getting trapped at the margin. If the lab does not properly identify where the margins of the bridge are, a gap or open margin can result. Sometimes this is not the fault of the dental lab. Inaccuracies can be introduced for a variety of reasons: less accurate physical impressions used instead of newer digital scanner impression techniques, moisture or blood preventing accurate impressions, excess gum tissues covering the tooth margins, etc.
- Poor Bridge Placement: One of the most common reasons for Dental Bridge Open Margin is improper placement of the bridge at the time of insertion. Bridge cementation is a technique sensitive procedure that requires proper adaptation of a bridge onto the prepared tooth surface. If the bridge is not fitted correctly or placed too high, it can leave a gap between the tooth and the bridge.
If you have an Open Margin under your Dental Bridge, it’s essential to identify the cause and address it promptly. Your dentist can help determine the cause of the open margin and recommend the appropriate treatment to prevent further damage and maintain your oral health. If you have further questions about Open Margins under a Dental Bridge, please contact us.
Signs and Symptoms of A Dental Bridge Open Margin
If you have a Dental Bridge Open Margin, you may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Tooth Sensitivity: You may experience sensitivity or discomfort when eating or drinking hot or cold foods and beverages.
- Tooth Pain: You may feel pain or discomfort when biting down or chewing.
- Gum Swelling: Swelling or tenderness in the gums surrounding the bridge may indicate an open margin.
- Food Trapping: Food and debris may get trapped between the open margin and your gums, causing discomfort. You may find that you have to floss your teeth more often because of the open margin under the dental bridge.
- Noticeable Gap Under Bridge: You may feel a visible gap between the bridge and your tooth, indicating an open margin.
- Bridge Feels High: You may feel like the bridge is higher than your other teeth when biting down. This could be because the bridge is not seated fully at the time of cementation.
- Dark Discoloration Under Bridge: You may notice dark discoloration or a grayish hue under the bridge, which can indicate tooth staining from the open margin, tooth decay or infection.
If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, it’s essential to schedule an appointment with your dentist promptly. Your dentist can examine your bridge and determine if you have a Dental Bridge Open Margin and recommend the appropriate treatment to prevent further damage to the tooth. If you have further questions about signs and symptoms of a Dental Bridge Open Margin, please contact us.
Treatment Options for A Dental Bridge Open Margin
If you have a Dental Bridge Open Margin, your dentist may recommend the following treatment options:
- Refitting the Bridge: In some cases, your dentist may be able to remove the bridge, clean it, and re-cement it onto the tooth to eliminate the open gap under the bridge.
- Bridge Replacement: If the bridge is too damaged or poorly fitted, your dentist may recommend removing the bridge and replacing it with a new one that fits properly.
The appropriate treatment option will depend on the cause and severity of the Dental Bridge Open Margin. It’s essential to schedule an appointment with your dentist promptly if you experience any signs or symptoms of an open margin to prevent further damage. If you have further questions about treatment options for a Dental Bridge Open Margin, please contact us.
How to Prevent A Dental Bridge Open Margin
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent a Dental Bridge Open Margin. These include:
- Choosing a Qualified Dentist: Make sure to choose an experienced dentist with a proven track record of successful dental bridges. Review their Google reviews to ensure patients are happy with their service.
- Crown Lengthening Gum Surgery: Sometimes, the tooth margins are deep and can be obstructed by excess gum tissue, resulting in inaccurate bridge impressions and an ill-fitting dental bridge. This crown lengthening surgical procedure removes excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth structure, resulting in cleaner tooth preparation margins. Clean, visible tooth margins are important for accurate bridge adaptation. Ask your dentist if bridge lengthening gum surgery is required.
- Digital Scanning Impressions: Dental bridges can be made using traditional physical impression techniques or newer digital impression techniques. Using digital scanning technology with an intraoral scanner can provide more accurate impressions, leading to better-fitting dental bridges and fewer complications. Not all dentists use digital scanning technology, so be to consult with a dentist that uses digital intra-oral scanners.
By following these preventive measures, you can ensure a successful dental bridge treatment and prevent Open Margins Under Dental Bridges. If you have further questions about how to prevent a Dental Bridge Open Margin, please contact us.
Managing A Dental Bridge Open Margin Until You Can See the Dentist
If you experience a Dental Bridge Open Margin before your scheduled dental appointment, you can take the following steps to manage the issue until you can see your dentist:
- Practice good oral hygiene: Keeping the dental bridge that has the open margin as clean as possible. This will help prevent tooth decay and alleviate some of the pain or sensitivity. Brush and floss gently around the tooth. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or mouthwash can help reduce infection, inflammation and alleviate toothache pain. You can buy any mouthwash available at your pharmacy or health foods store. Alternatively, you can mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish the solution around your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out.
- Use Over-the-Counter Pain Medication: Over-the-counter pain medication can help relieve tooth pain or sensitivity from tooth decay under a veneer. You are also welcome to use over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ask your dentist what dosage is right for you, but if you do not have a pre-existing medical condition of allergies, 1000mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) with 600mg ibuprofen (Advil) every 4-6 hours or as needed is a very powerful combination.
- Avoid Eating on the Affected Side: Avoid eating on the side of the affected tooth to prevent further irritation or damage to the open margin.
While these measures can help manage Dental Bridge Open Margin until you can see your dentist, it’s essential to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to prevent any further damage. If you have further questions about how to manage and treat a Dental Bridge Open Margin, please contact us.
