The bridge is rough on the surface

Yesterday, I received a new three-member bridge. I’d had a bridge like this before, which sat on top of two implants. Since part of the ceramic broke off and the bridge got loose on its own, I had the ceramic coat done at the same time. I got it back yesterday and noticed that for some reason, the surface of the bridge is really rough. That is, it’s not as smooth as before and/or the other teeth. QUESTION: Is it possible to have it polished after the fact so that the finish is the same as the other teeth? Also, I have some difficulties using dental floss in that spot. When I use it on the anterior tooth, the dental floss gets very rough.

Dear Amal,

It sounds as if no firing was done after the ceramic base material was applied. The simplest thing to do is to see the technician, take off the bridge, and fire it.

Oh, it has to be taken off again? Would it be possible to polish it directly at the dentist’s?

Dear Amal,

The bridge can be polished, yes, but it won’t turn out as smoothly as if it were fired. If the bridge was cemented in temporarily, I would have a final firing done.

Dear Amal,

If too much “grinding” was performed on the bridge, then this would cancel out the final firing. This is why, in cases of excessive “adjustments,” ceramics should be sent back to the lab in order to have a second firing performed.

Basically, only the top of the bite was cut or adjusted. The roughness is more apparent on the sides, except for the last tooth, which is pretty smooth.

Dear Amal,

It’s difficult to determine after the fact where the dentist started drilling, but basically, it doesn't matter. I would go and see the practitioner and ask him to provide you with a “smooth” bridge.