Problems with fixed bridge supported by implants
 

Hi and Greetings,

Seeking your advice. I recently have had a full mouth restoration; 5 implants on top and 5 on the bottom. A fixed bridge (complete arch) was placed on the top and on the bottom. Since it was first placed, the bottom part accumilate so much food, every time I eat, with no way to clean it at all. It is causing endless worries as it seems that sooner or later it will cause infections. I am male/62 year and I am also type 2 diabetic, and since I am not able to eat normaly (because the food remains under to bottom part) it also impact my ability to control well my diabetic condition.

I am very concerned that after all the expense (over $60k) and the long time the entire treatment took (over 2 years) it seems that it is not functional at all. Any advice or experience are welcomed.

Many thanks in advance!

Hi shura,

You have every reason to be concerned about the ill fit of your bridgework. If food debris is accumulating underneath the bridge it will cause inflammation, infection and bone loss to occur. All of which will have a negative affect on your overall health. As you said, your diet is compromised due to the inability to clean your mouth properly so it needs to be addressed asap.

It is imperative to see your dentist and discuss a remedy to solve this problem. I know you have been through A LOT of work in the dental chair as well as financially. But the bridges may have to be redone and at this stage it would not be at your own expense. The longer you wait to see your dentist, the further the problems will become and the more likely your dentist will avoid redoing them.

I'm hoping your dentist can make a few adjustments to help you clean better, but if he makes the adjustments and they don't work.... don't wait too long to let him know that.

Please let us know how things are going... :)
Bryanna

Thanks Bryana! Since the dentist placed the bridges (as part of the overall solution that he designed in conjunction with the surgeon), I had at least 6 visits with him. Everytime he tries to make adjustments, including enlarging the botom part to cover completley the gums, but it makes no differenfce as food still gets (and remains) underneath without a way to reach in and clean it. He claims that the sollution he designed and implemented is the best he can do (in his words "it is the state-of-art" sollution); I am reluctant to start with another prosthodontis as I find it hard to believe that another one will take upon him/herself to fix something another derntist designed (and not to mentioned the additional cost it will require and I can not aford). I am at lost and very stressed out as a results as it impacts overall health, ability to work well and many other aspects. Writing not to vent, but see if others experienced similar conditions and if you and others may have more ideas.

Thanks again!!

Shura,

I've seen a lot of less than perfect dentistry over the last 35+ years. Sometimes it is the fault of the dentist and/or the fault of the dental lab and other times it is the patients anatomy that creates a limited situation where the fit of the bridge cannot be made perfect.

Has the current dentist acknowledged that debris is getting stuck underneath the bridges? Has he recommended and demonstrated some oral hygiene techniques for you to do at home so you can remove it? How about the hygienist.... have you see her for a cleaning yet? Sometimes they can offer some helpful cleaning tips.

The best thing for you to do is not give up until the problem is resolved as best as it can be. It is the responsibility of the dentist to take whatever steps necessary to try and remedy the problem. If his work is sub par then he has to redo it at his cost. If he admits that he has done the best that he can and the problem still exists, he has to be reasonable about the fact that you need to seek help elsewhere and is obligated to reimburse you enough money to be able to do that. Just as a side note..... it is not uncommon for bridgework to be sent back to the lab for adjustments or complete revision. Especially on large complicated cases such as yours.

You are correct in that another dentist is not going to want to touch this dental work for fear that he would be blamed for ruining the integrity of it. However, it may behoove you to at least get another prosthodontist's opinion on the fit of the bridges.

Bryanna