Did My Dentist Ruin My Bridge?

Posted by AllSmiles

In late August, while placing two new crowns, my dentist accidentally nicked one of the crowns on my Maryland bridge, which I’ve had since 2002. Although the bridge is older, it was in good condition, and I had no plans to replace it. Unfortunately, the nicked crown is a prominent spot on my left front tooth.

Two weeks later, I noticed a silver dot through the nicked crown. Despite my concerns, my dentist insisted that the issue was caused by teeth grinding. However, I believe he knows better. He’s always quick to point out any changes in my teeth, and he would have mentioned it if my grinding was a significant problem. Additionally, I wear a nighttime mouth guard to protect my teeth.

When I brought up the silver dot, my dentist scheduled an appointment to cover it with composite. However, the dot is now visible through the composite. I understand that crowns have a metal base, but I’m worried that the entire bridge may need to be replaced. Now, I’m not sure I trust my dentist. I had planned to have him replace my silver fillings, but I’m hesitant to let him work on my teeth anymore. Are there any alternatives to replacing the entire Maryland bridge? Thanks. Alexandra from MN

 

Alexandra,

Consider seeking a second opinion from another dentist to assess the dental bridge. Many dentists will examine the crowns on your dental bridge at no charge. Specifically, ask the dentist to examine where the metal shows signs of porcelain grinding.

A metal explorer should not leave a mark on intact porcelain but will if a dentist has ground down the porcelain. The dentist’s findings can help you approach your original dentist for further discussion.

It’s important to understand that even experienced dentists may inadvertently grind away too much porcelain while adjusting the bite of a crown. The attached photo illustrates three crowns on the back teeth, two exhibiting porcelain ground down to the metal.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. We cater to patients with dental anxiety.