dental bridge question

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

My DH had a bridge that was loose - he went to a dentist we don't know because we still use our Pittsburgh dentist . But we were here in Fl so off he goes. The dentist tells him there is a cavity in the tooth the bridge is glued to and it will cost $3000 to get the bridge removed , and a new one made and the tooth filled. So ok - back in Dec he had this done - the tooth was filled and a temporary bridge was made until the new bridge comes in. It is now 6 weeks later - the bridge came in and did not fit so had to be sent back. the temporary keeps falling off and he has to go in and get it reglued. Meanwhile - he has pain in that tooth - even when the temporary is covering it , it still hurts him and is sensitive to cold and heat and pressure.He never had any pain before this all started.The dentist keeps saying it will be fine once the new bridge is in place. I keep arguing with my DH that it is not ok for this tooth to continue to be painful and that I think it needs a root canal.He just keeps repeating that I don't know anything and the dentist knows better - and all it needs is time - well isn't 6 weeks a long enough time for this to not be hurting anymore? I have never felt any pain at all when either of my bridges were made and placed. I think this is gpoing to fester into something much worse.

Does anyone have any experience with pain and having a bridge made?

Yardlie · ‎03-10-2010

Sounds like it is time for a second opinion.

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. ~~ Steve Maraboli

Tegchacha · ‎01-16-2015

I'm a dental hygienist so I'll give you my opinion. First, I've never heard of it taking 6 weeks to get a bridge back from a lab. Anyway, it could possibly feel better once the permanent bridge is cemented. The temporary material provides zero protection from hot/cold. The temporary could also not fit correctly causing his bite to be off. This will cause a tooth to feel"bruised" so to speak and exhibit the symptoms you describe. I would suggest that once the permanent one comes in, that he have it cemented with temporary cement and wear it a week or so to see if his symptoms subside. That way if he did need a root canal, the bridge could be slipped off so to speak and wouldn't have to be drilled into. Although an examination by an endodontist wouldn't be a bad idea in the mean time.

jbwnewtaw · ‎05-03-2014

I am also a dental hygienist. If the bridge didn't fit and had to be sent back to the lab 6 weeks is not an unreasonable amount of time. I have been a dental hygienist for 19 yrs and in my experience sensitivity to hot and cold and pressure means the nerve is going bad and will need a root canal.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/22/2015 jbwnewtaw said: I am also a dental hygienist. If the bridge didn't fit and had to be sent back to the lab 6 weeks is not an unreasonable amount of time. I have been a dental hygienist for 19 yrs and in my experience sensitivity to hot and cold and pressure means the nerve is going bad and will need a root canal.

I felt the same way, I would really hate it if he finally got the permanent bridge on , only to find out it would be another $3000 to remove it to have a root canal.

F1wilder · ‎01-03-2015

Haha, I'm also a dental hygienist who's worked lots with a reconstruction dentist since '96. I also work with our state's malpractice case exams. When a bridge is loose from the decay or other reason the tooth is being traumatized each time it's under pressure from chewing on the rocking movement of the bridge. The fibers that hold the tooth in place are being traumatized, like a sprained ankle. You don't say how many units/teeth the bridge covers. Minimum would be 3 so two teeth with crowns at either end and one fake tooth in the middle. When the bridge is removed the formerly crowned teeth have been ground down quite a bit, removing the enamel and more. So, you have a traumatized tooth, with decay, naked to the world. Every stimulus will bother it - hot, cold, pressure, breathing on it. Temporary crowns/bridges are made and cemented with material not as sturdy as permanent ones. If the bite is off, even slightly, a wear spot could be involved. Lots and lots of variables.

What to do: Ask the dentist if a PA xray was taken, not just a bitewing. The PA will show the tips of the roots. If tooth needs a root canal usually an endodontic lesion can be seen at the tip area. If no PA then ask for one to be taken. They're no big deal. If no endo lesion then ask that the permanent bridge be cemented with good temporary cement. The tooth can be coated with a medicinal paint to help the tooth calm down. Sometimes the tooth can be sensitive for along time - weeks, months...In the meantime, the tooth has a sturdy, usually porcelain fused to metal, permanent bridge protecting it until further diagnosis is determined. If it calms down or root canal is needed, removing the bridge with the temp cement is easy-peasy. HTH!!

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/22/2015 F1wilder said:
Haha, I'm also a dental hygienist who's worked lots with a reconstruction dentist. When a bridge is loose from the decay or other reason the tooth is being traumatized each time it's under pressure from chewing on the rocking movement of the bridge. The fibers that hold the tooth in place are being traumatized, like a sprained ankle. You don't say how many units/teeth the bridge covers. Minimum would be 3 so two teeth with crowns at either end and one fake tooth in the middle. When the bridge is removed the formerly crowned teeth have been ground down quite a bit, removing the enamel and more. So, you have a traumatized tooth, with decay, naked to the world. Every stimulus will bother it - hot, cold, pressure, breathing on it. Temporary crowns/bridges are made and cemented with material not as sturdy as permanent ones. If the bite is off, even slightly, a wear spot could be involved. Lots and lots of variables.

What to do: Ask the dentist if a PA xray was taken, not just a bitewing. The PA will show the tips of the roots. If tooth needs a root canal usually an endodontic lesion can be seen at the tip area. If no PA then ask for one to be taken. They're no big deal. If no endo lesion then ask that the permanent bridge be cemented with good temporary cement. The tooth can be coated with a medicinal paint to help the tooth calm down. Sometimes the tooth can be sensitive for along time - weeks, months...In the meantime, the tooth has a sturdy, usually porcelain fused to metal permanent bridge protecting it until further diagnosis is determined. HTH!!

You don't seem to get it - every time they have to work on this tooth it costs us $3000 to get the bridge removed and replaced. It's not like they just take it off and work on the tooth and put it back on. Our dentist in Pa did a root canal on one of my teeth right through the bridge but this dentist here just insists that he will have to remove the bridge if he has to do any work on the tooth later.They have not done any x rays at all.

pattypeep · ‎06-06-2011

HH, don't shoot the messenger. ${#emotions_dlg.scared}$

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea-Robert A. Heinlein

Sunshine Kate · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/22/2015 twopeas said:
HH, don't shoot the messenger. ${#emotions_dlg.scared}$

That's what I say.

cater · ‎03-10-2010

It might be a better idea to buy a ticket to come to Pittsburgh and have a dentist you TRUST work on his teeth then throwing away $3000. every time you go into the office. My friends husband had to have medical work done while they were in Florida for the winter, after getting run a round with the doctor down in Florida they made appointments up here with the doctors they knew and he flew up here and we picked him up at the airport and he stayed till every thing was done then went and spent the rest of the winter in Florida. For me when there is a pain in one of my teeth I am in the dentist chair and that tooth is taken care before any thing else is done. I can't stand a toothache.