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 the functionality and general aesthetics of your smile. Our customized dental bridges in Alpharetta and Roswell, GA, are made to fit snuggly into the space of your missing teeth. Patients love our dental bridges because they are a minimally invasive procedure for tooth replacement.
Dental Bridges in Alpharetta, GA
The goal of our dental bridge restorations is to bring back correct bite function and preserve and protect existing teeth, while also improving the look of the teeth and smile as a whole.
A dental bridge is a restoration that is used to replace missing teeth. Whether you lost teeth or need one or several teeth extracted, you can have them replaced with a bridge. A bridgework is made up of a row of false teeth fused together. It is secured in the mouth by an anchor. The anchor can be adjacent teeth or dental implants. Your dentist will design the bridge to fit precisely in your mouth. It will be color matched to blend in naturally with your remaining, natural teeth.
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 decay and disease.
An implant support bridge uses dental implants to secure the bridge. At least two implant fixtures are inserted into the jaw bone where they will fuse to the bone. Then the bridge is attached 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
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. Their lifespan can be extended by practicing good oral hygiene and following a nutritious diet.
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.