What are the problems with removing healthy tooth structure?
If the teeth that will support the bridge are perfectly healthy, most dentists will not recommend a bridge, as it requires destroying healthy tooth structure that can never be replaced. The tooth structure that is removed to support an abutment crown is enamel, the hard protective surface of the tooth. Enamel is far more resistant to decay than the layer beneath it, a softer, spongy material that decays more rapidly. When teeth are ground down to place a bridge, the tooth structure under the crown is more susceptible to decay, particularly since the cement that holds the bridge washes out over time and bacteria can leak under the crown. A significant number of teeth under crowns and bridges will decay over time. These teeth may then require root canal therapy. Some dentists who specialize in root canals report that as many as 25 to 30 percent of the procedures they perform are on teeth under crowns and bridges.
