Are incisor teeth strong enough to support bridges?

Q. Dear Dr. Caplan, you kindly responded to a question I had with my teeth. To recap, my problem was that my front right tooth has suffered a lot of trauma over the years due to accidents. I am 34-years old. I have had it capped and I think I have had route canal treatment on it in the past also. However, I understand that it is now dead, my gums have receded a little to reveal the dark brown colour of the tooth underneath. The tooth has become very wobbly (enhanced by wearing for a while an anti snoring guard-which I regret buying!). Anyway my dentist has confirmed that the tooth now needs to be removed. We discussed the options of either an implant or a bridge. He has advised on a 4 tooth bridge. He took some x-rays of the tooth and showed me that the the tooth’s bone is significantly worn down and fractured. I recently obtained a second opinion and the second dentist also advised on a bridge because the bone had worn down too much. He suggested a 6-tooth bridge because he thought the incisors were not stong enough to support bridges and also suggested that the accompanying crowns should be in Zirconium. It seems as though Bridges are the answer although I would definitely have preferred an implant but I would be grateful if you could please advise whether incisor teeth are strong enough to support bridges and also if I went with the metal based crown (which I believe the first dentist was offering) how many years would I have before the metal showed as result of my gums receeding. As stated, they have already receeded a bit and as this is my front tooth that we are talking about, I am a little apprehensive about metal showing. Many thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated.,
A. Lateral incisors are relatively small and if these are the main teeth the dentist is using to support the bridge the canines will need to be involved. Implants may be possible if bone grafting can be done
Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan
November 1st, 2010 at 08:47 PM
Monique Says :

Can what’s left of a tooth under a cap (part of bridge) be treated for abscess, maybe with a root canal? Pain flares up bad and goes away for weeks. Dentist of three years (in his 60s) said, three and two and last year, there was no reason for pain, took x-rays, said could be sinuses and refused to give antibiotics after first time when amoxicyllin did give great relief from pain. Recently, emergency dentist (man in his 80s) said there is definitely an abscess but he would have to drill through cap and put in temporary cap with attached tooth (to fill hole of missing tooth) and in some 6 months when gum is healed, make new 4-tooth bridge to replace the 3 -tooth one I now have.
Is it possible to have a rotting tooth under cap of bridge coated to save what’s left of tooth under crown, even after a root canal? And, is it possible to then push that side of slipped bridge back up in place and recemented? Root is still fine in place. Other side, left side of bridge, is so firm, neither dentist could knock it off. Second dentist said he would try cutting it off to save ‘anchor’.
I have a three tooth bridge = one missing tooth in middle, top front right tooth lost after it suddenly turned grey, and abscess had to be treated with a root canal at 18 (some 40 years ago!)
Present bridge lasted 30 years!
Thank you sooo much for your advice

February 5th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Marlene Says :

I have been waiting for root treatment for two months, and still another month to go. In the meantime the tooth keeps flaring up and my dentist gives me antibiotics.

She gave me the alternative to have it extracted, and I have agreed because I am sick of the hassle, but I don’t know enough about the tooth, and she isn’t very helpful in advising what would be best.

It is the tooth number 3 or 4 lower right and I have already lost the teeth at the back. It’s quite a big tooth and the gum is very receded. Would any NHS dentist xray it for me and give an opinion.
Thank you,
Best regards,
Marlene

May 26th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Clarence Says :

I have today just had a tooth removed & I have asked my dentist what can bedone with the gap but he has just told me to wait till my gum heals & thathas all he has said. I have never really been happy with my smile at all (teeth very uneven) and would like to look into what could be done to help me?

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