How to Repair a Chipped Dental Bridge
Dental bridges, like natural teeth, can become damaged or chipped. When this happens it can be repaired through a process called bonding. The procedure, performed by your dentist, applies a matching resin to the chipped bridge. The resin, which is hardened by ultraviolet light, bonds to the bridge when cured. With the proper care, a dental bond can last 10 years or longer before it must be redone.
- Make an appointment with your dentist to assess the damage. If it is minimal, the bonding process is generally used for chips and smaller damage. Depending on the size of the chip, replacement of the entire bridge might be necessary.
- Contact your dental insurance provider. Depending on your dental coverage, repair of a chipped bridge could be covered. Therefore, it is a good idea to check with your provider, since repair can cost up to $500.00 per tooth.
- Request that the color of the resin used be matched as closely as possible to your teeth on your bridge. Your dentist should be able to match your bridge, making the repair less noticeable.
- Talk to your dentist and see if you can get the bridge repaired in one visit. The repair should take about two hours.
- Repair is completed using this process.
- The damaged tooth will be etched to create small crevices in the surface.
- The bonding material will be applied, and the tooth exposed to ultraviolet light until the resin is hard.
- Depending on the severity of the chip, two or more applications of resin might have to be used.
- Be careful of what you eat after the repair is completed. Hard candies, tough chewing gum and ice can all potentially damage your bridge