Are you missing one or more consecutive teeth?
If you are missing one or more consecutive teeth, Dr. Hedlund is here to provide you with the services you need to restore functionality and general aesthetics of your smile. Esthetic Dental Solutions offers many restorative dentistry solutions to replace missing teeth. Missing teeth increase your risk of gum disease, tooth shifting, gum recession, and tooth decay.
Dental bridges are one of the custom solutions we provide to treat tooth loss. Dr. Hedlund can provide you with a dental bridge in Alpharetta, GA and Roswell, GA that will fit snuggly into the space of your missing teeth. The process to receive this type of dental prosthesis is simple, and we’ll customize it to compliment your smile perfectly.
Dental Bridge in Alpharetta, GA
The goal of our dental bridge restorations is to bring back correct bite function and preserve and protect existing teeth. Anyone missing a tooth or a few teeth in a row will benefit from this type of dental restoration. There are several reasons why you may be suffering from tooth loss, whether its tooth decay, trauma, gum disease, or congenital issue. In any case, Dr. Hedlund will suggest a bridge to help you restore your smile because it will:
- Help you chew your food more efficiently
- Speak properly
- Keep your teeth in proper alignment
- Prevent TMJ disorders
- Improve the appearance of your smile
- Prevent other health and oral health issues
Your oral health is our main concern, however we also care about the appearance of your smile. A dental bridge will also improve the look of your teeth and smile as a whole. We take dental impressions to custom create dental bridges so that they fit precisely in the mouth. It will be color matched to blend in naturally with your remaining, natural teeth.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a custom dental prosthesis that dentists use to replace missing teeth. Whether you lost teeth or require one or several teeth extractions, Dr. Hedlund can replace them with a dental bridge.
The restoration is a single until that will “bridge” the gap created by the missing teeth. Your dentist will secure it to an anchor in your mouth. The anchor can be adjacent teeth, a single adjacent tooth, or dental implants. A bridge is made up of the false teeth, called the pontics, and crowns, which will anchor to the teeth or implants inside the mouth.
Types of Dental Bridges
Traditional Dental Bridge: This is the most common type of bridge we use. It consists of pontics that are located in between two crowns. The crowns are secured to two prepared abutment teeth located on each side of the gap.
Cantilever Dental Bridge: This type of bridge is similar to a traditional bridge however it only has one crown instead of two. Your dentist will choose a cantilever bridge when you only have one abutment tooth available for support.
Maryland Dental Bridge: A Maryland bridge is unlike the other types bridges because it uses metal or porcelain framework to anchor the pontic in place. The framework consists of wings that your dentist will bond to the back of the abutment teeth to secure the unit. We will only use this to replace a single tooth, typically in the front of the mouth that doesn’t use a lot of chewing force.
Implant-Supported Bridge: A dental bridge can also be held in place with dental implants instead of adjacent teeth. This requires surgical placement of at least two implant fixtures.
Traditional Bridge vs Implant-Supported Bridge
A traditional bridge is very sturdy however it requires using healthy, remaining teeth to secure it. Your dentist will need to reduce these teeth in size to make room for the bridge. Not only are you damaging healthy teeth, you will also be putting extra pressure on them. This makes them more susceptible to tooth decay.
An implant support bridge uses dental implants to secure the prosthesis. We will insert at least two implant fixtures into the jaw bone where they will fuse to the bone. Then your dentist will attach the custom dental bridge to the implants for a more secure fit. This does not involve damaging healthy teeth and it also helps prevent bone loss by stimulating the jaw bone.
Dental Bridge FAQs
A dental bridge is an effective solution if you are missing a tooth or several teeth. If your dentist recommended this solution but you still have questions or concerns, we compiled the answers to commonly asked questions about them. We want to provide you with as much insight as we can to help you understand how dental bridges work and how they can help you.
How do I clean my dental bridge?
You will need to ensure that you brush and floss around your dental bridge on a daily basis. The bridge itself is a new place for bacteria to hide behind during your standard oral hygiene routine. Dr. Hedlund will show you how to properly clean around your dental bridge to avoid any additional plaque buildup.
Will the dental bridge procedure hurt?
The dental bridge procedure is minimally invasive. Your surrounding teeth will need to be etched and potentially capped with a dental crown to support the dental bridge. However, this is not a surgical procedure and should not cause you any pain or discomfort. Sedation dentistry options are available for patients nervous about this dental procedure.
What is the difference between a dental bridge and a dental implant?
Unlike a dental implant that is surgically implanted into your jawbone, the dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that is held in the empty space through the support of your surrounding teeth. The dental bridge procedure is less invasive than the dental implant procedure. However, dental bridges come with more lifestyle and dietary adjustments than dental implants.
How long after dental bridge can I eat?
After a dental bridge is placed patients should wait at least one hour to eat. This gives cement time to harden and become secure. Patients may choose to stick to a soft diet until they adjust to the feeling of a new bridge.
How many years does a dental bridge last?
A dental bridge may last anywhere from five to fifteen years. You can extend the lifespan of it by practicing good oral hygiene and following a nutritious diet. However, dental bridges are not meant to last forever. It will likely require repair and replacement from normal wear and tear over the years.
Schedule a Consultation for a Dental Bridge in Alpharetta, GA
When you need a dental bridge in Alpharetta, GA, we hope you’ll consider coming to visit our office. Our team provides compassionate and comprehensive restorative dentistry services to meet the wide variety of needs our patients have. We accept patients of all ages and look forward to helping your restore your smile. Please schedule an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you soon.