Fixed bridges and All on X implant bridges are life changing. They restore confidence, chewing function, and aesthetics. However, they are not maintenance free. Proper daily home care combined with regular professional maintenance is what protects your investment long term.
Below is exactly how we recommend caring for your fixed bridge at home and why ongoing in office care is essential for long term success.
Even though your teeth are fixed and do not come out, plaque and bacteria can still accumulate underneath the bridge, especially where the bridge meets the gums.
Use a soft bristle or electric toothbrush
Angle the brush gently toward the gumline
Spend extra time along the underside of the bridge
Inflammation around implants is one of the most common causes of long term complications and it is often related to hygiene under the bridge rather than the implants themselves.
This is the most important part of daily care.
We typically recommend one or more of the following depending on your anatomy and bridge design:
Water flosser on a medium setting
Implant specific floss or super floss
Small interproximal brushes if recommended by your hygienist
The goal is to flush bacteria and debris from under the prosthesis, not just clean the visible teeth.
Choose non abrasive toothpaste
Avoid gritty or aggressive whitening pastes
Use alcohol free rinses if recommended
Although fixed bridges are strong, abrasive products can damage materials over time and increase wear.
If you have an All on X bridge, wearing your night guard is essential.
A night guard helps:
Protect implants and connection screws from excessive bite forces
Reduce stress from clenching or grinding
Extend the lifespan of your prosthesis
Even patients who do not feel that they grind their teeth often generate significant nighttime forces, especially during periods of stress. A night guard is a critical part of long term implant protection.
At our office, All on X care does not stop after surgery. Long term success depends on routine professional maintenance.
Most All on X patients are seen three to four times per year depending on their individual risk factors.
During these visits, our team may:
Professionally clean around and beneath the bridge
Assess gum health and bone levels
Evaluate implant stability and bite forces
Remove the prosthesis when indicated for deeper cleaning
Whether connection screws are changed at each visit is determined by our prosthodontist based on clinical findings, wear patterns, and implant health. Screws are replaced when appropriate to maintain long term stability and prevent complications.
All cleanings are performed by experienced hygienists using implant safe instruments and techniques designed specifically for fixed implant bridges.
Most implant complications are not due to implant failure. They are related to inflammation, poor hygiene access, or missed maintenance visits.
Routine professional care helps:
Prevent peri implant disease
Identify concerns early before they become costly
Protect bone, gum health, and aesthetics
Preserve the longevity of your bridge
A fixed bridge is a long term investment. Proper maintenance protects that investment.
Most patients are seen three to four times per year. Your exact schedule will depend on your oral hygiene, bite forces, and overall health.
Not always. Our prosthodontist determines whether connection screws should be replaced based on wear, stability, and clinical evaluation at each visit.
Yes, daily home care is essential. However, professional cleanings allow access and evaluation that is not possible at home.
Yes. A night guard protects your implants, screws, and prosthesis from excessive forces during sleep and is a critical part of long term success.
Skipping maintenance increases the risk of inflammation, bone loss, screw loosening, and prosthesis damage. Regular visits help prevent these issues.
If you are considering All on X or already have a fixed bridge and want to ensure it lasts long term, we invite you to learn more about our comprehensive fixed bridge and All on X services.
https://1smiledental.com/
https://1smiledental.com/
Our approach is simple. Plan carefully. Maintain proactively. Protect long term results.
We proudly provide fixed bridge and All on X care for patients throughout:
Munster
Highland
Schererville
Crown Point
Valparaiso
Dyer
St John
Northwest Indiana
Chicago and surrounding suburbs
As your trusted Schereville dentist, we offer a range of services and utilize advanced dental technology to provide our patients with quality, precise and comfortable care. Building relationships with our patients built on trust is the key to our success.