[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your post.

From what you describe it sounds like one of the teeth holding the bridge has fractured, possibly a root fracture.

Root filled teeth are weakened by the root filling procedure and risk of fracture does exist after root canal treatment. Also other things such as decay could also lead to tooth fracture.

Now depending on the level of the fracture, this tooth may be save-able. If the fracture level is deep below the gum level, the tooth may have to be extracted. If the fracture level is superficial, it might be possible to create a new bridge.

If the tooth is not save-able and it has to be extracted, you will be left with one natural tooth gone and the bridge false tooth in between also possibly gone. I say possibly because sometimes its possible to convert the old 3 unit bridge into a two unit cantilever bridge and extract the hopeless tooth at the front.

If you lose the front tooth +/- the false tooth, you could have implants or a denture in their place.

You have to be very careful with this bridge and not put any pressure on your bridge as you wait to see your own dentist. You must keep it very clean and if possible try to bring your dentist appointment forward. If the tooth can be saved, the sooner the fractured part is removed and the rest of the tooth is sealed, the better. Because if the root canal area is exposed, the longer that is left exposed, the higher the chance of bacteria infiltration, causing root canal failure. Also there is the chance of further fracture of the tooth.