Can we talk about something that is destroying people’s mouths?

Bridged or joined crowns

I’m not talking about the kind of bridge that is used to replace a missing tooth. I am talking about a row of normal crowns all joined together. For reasons beyond my understanding these are very common when people get their Turkey teeth done.

Bridged crowns significantly increase the risk of future periodontal (gum) problems, and increase your risk of decay. They make good oral hygiene more difficult. They almost always require more tooth removal than individual crowns, reducing the long term prognosis of all the teeth involved. 

And if one of the teeth that is joined together develops a problem it increases the complexity of fixing that problem and can potentially lead to further work to all of the teeth included in that bridge work

And most crucially, there is zero benefit to bridged crowns that could justify these extra risks.

Joined crowns for any of your teeth never is. It really worries me that some dentists who get amazing reviews online are pushing these as the preferred option for making over someone’s smile.

If you are going abroad to get your teeth done, research the clinic thoroughly and make sure you understand the treatment plan inc pros/cons and your alternatives. If their plan is to put a row of joined crowns into your mouth, ask for an alternative or find another clinic.