I have a dental bridge, it wasn’t fitting quite right so my dentist asked me to come in and he’d make some adjustments. He did some grinding on the crown. I noticed the next day that it had a spot on it which showed the metal. I went in to see my dentist again and he said it was because I’m a tooth grinder. What I don’t understand is how it can happen in one night. He did put a composite filling on it, but that was gone by the next morning. I don’t think it is my grinding, but I’m not sure if my dentist will ever agree. What do you think? Can this be fixed?
Penny
Dear Penny,
I’m sorry for what you’re experiencing. I’ve got to tell you I’m a little concerned you need to find a different dentist. It isn’t simply because of the crown for your dental bridge. It’s more about the teeth grinding. Granted, I am extrapolating here, but it sounds like your dentist has known you are a grinder, but he hasn’t provided you with a nightguard. This is a simple mouthpiece you’d wear at night, which is when most grinding takes place. It protects your teeth from the damage done by the teeth grinding.
Believe me, that damage is serious. Eventually, you will wear your teeth down to nubs. When that happens, it will require you to get a full-mouth reconstruction. That means placing a dental crown on every tooth and would cost you between 30 and 60 thousand dollars. That will bring in a lot more money for your dentist than the nightguard. The best dentists stay on top of all your oral health, not just cleanings and restorations. He should be keeping an eye out for gum disease, signs of grinding, and doing oral cancer screenings. I don’t think you’re getting the care you need.
As for the crown. Yes, it is very likely your dentist did that but I doubt he will admit to that because it would mean replacing it at his cost. Instead, he’ll try to pawn it off on you. How would you know how to prove otherwise? I’ll tell you how. You write to me.
Getting this Dental Bridge Replaced
The first thing I want you to do is get a second opinion. Some dentists will even do that for free. It will be easy for a dentist to tell if your dentist’s adjustments were the cause of the damage. If the porcelain on your crown has been ground on by a metal explorer it will leave very distinct marks. If the second opinion dentist tells you those marks are there, you are armed with some backup. From there you have two choices:
- Get a refund and have another dentist do your dental bridge.
- Give your dentist a chance to replace it and do it right.
The choice is completely up to you. One thing you’d asked is if this can be repaired. There is a small chance, but it is very involved and not much of a guarantee. To be honest, based on what I’m reading from you, I don’t think your dentist has the skills needed. I’d just get the bridge replaced.
This blog is brought to you by Deluth, GA Dentists Dr. David Marion.