As with any complex dental treatment, there are risks involved and the outcome can very much depend upon the skill and experience of your particular dentist. Some issues that may lead to premature loss of the crown/bridge include:
- Poor oral hygiene – this can lead to decay and gum disease
- Poorly designed and/or fitting bridge – this can make effective cleaning very difficult, possibly leading to decay and gum disease
- The bridge may repeatedly become loose or come off. This is commonly caused by a poorly fitting restoration and/or an incorrect bite
- Failure of the bridge due to incorrect assessment of dental health
Your dentist has a duty of care to ensure all procedures conform to strict industry standards. In addition, they should make sure that you do not suffer from any unnecessary discomfort or pain during and after the procedure. Furthermore, they should not cause any further damage to your teeth, jaw or gums.
The Dental Law Partnership deals with cases where problems have arisen from dental bridges due to:
- The dentist not gaining informed consent
- The dentist not advising of alternative treatments such as dentures
- Damage to teeth from poor fitting bridges
- Tooth decay caused by ill-fitting bridges
- Poor appearance of the bridge
- The dentist providing an inadequate assessment of the patient’s dental health before proceeding