In cases where multiple teeth are missing, patients may be advised to get a dental bridge in order to maintain the appearance and health of their smile. At the Stephens City Family Dentistry, we offer both temporary and fixed bridges to maintain your tooth functionality and appearance.
What are Fixed Bridges?
Dental bridges have long been used to fill large spaces in the mouth where more than one tooth is missing. In addition to preserving the jawbone and surrounding teeth, bridges can help maintain the shape of your smile and prevent future dental complications. Although we offer temporary, removable bridges, but in some cases a permanent, fixed bridge may be preferred.
While a removable bridge is built to attach to surrounding teeth and can be taken out for cleaning, fixed bridges are attached to dental implants for a permanent, worry-free solution that looks and acts like your natural teeth.
Why Choose Fixed Bridges?
Both temporary and fixed bridges are effective solutions for replacing missing teeth, but fixed bridges offer multiple benefits to patients, such as:
- A long-lasting solution that maintains the structure of surrounding teeth
- A strong structure that can withstand the force of normal biting and chewing
- Restoration of normal eating, talking, and smiling without worrying about your dental prosthetic becoming loose or falling out
- A treatment option that is often less expensive than replacing every missing tooth with an implant.
During your consultation with Dr. McFadden, your individual condition will be evaluated, and the treatment options that are available to you will be discussed.
What is the Treatment Process Like?
To begin the process of placing a fixed bridge, we will fix bio-compatible screws into the jawbone to act as a tooth root and create a solid foundation for the bridge. Depending on the system used, this process can take a few to several months to properly bond the screws to the bone and prepare the area for the placement of customized crowns.
Once the bridge is adhered to the implants, it will blend into the rest of your smile for seamless treatment and full functionality.