Dental Bridges in Atlanta, GA

Traditional Dental Bridges

A traditional dental bridge is a metal structure supporting porcelain teeth. Your natural teeth serve as anchors on either side of the dental bridge. Traditional bridges are usually removable, so you take them out when you’re sleeping. They’re a fast and more affordable option compared to implant-supported bridges.

However, traditional bridges have downsides. If your natural teeth support a bridge, the stress takes a toll on them, making them more likely to wear down faster and become susceptible to conditions like tooth decay. Typically, this is remedied by placing dental crowns on both anchor teeth, which take on the stress of the bridge instead of your natural teeth. This requires removing a significant amount of the existing tooth structure to make room for the crowns.

Eating a balanced diet with traditional bridges can be difficult. You may need to remove the bridge when eating certain foods or risk breaking the bridge when biting down. Traditional removable bridges do not restore full bite function because they do not replace the tooth root. Additionally, adjustments or replacements are needed over time as the fit changes due to jawbone deterioration after tooth loss.

The entire process for traditional bridges takes only a few weeks. We take impressions of your mouth and send them to a top dental lab to custom-make the bridge. Dr. Patel works with several of the top dental laboratories in the United States. Once ready, we fit the bridge in our office and make necessary adjustments for a perfect fit.

Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

An implant-supported bridge is fixed in your mouth and not removable. Instead of relying on natural teeth as anchors, the bridge is anchored by dental implants. This solution is recommended whenever possible due to the various health benefits that only dental implants provide. The process of getting an implant-supported bridge is longer and more expensive upfront.

Dental implants are the only solution that replaces the tooth root. Even though not every single tooth is replaced with an implant, they still help maintain the health of your mouth. The jawbone will not continue deteriorating, so you won’t need to adjust or replace the restoration over time. Implant-supported bridges also restore nearly full bite function, allowing you to eat all your favorite foods without damaging the restoration.

The process of getting an implant-supported bridge involves a surgical procedure to place dental implant posts in your jawbone. You must wait around 3-6 months for the implants to heal and fully fuse with the jawbone before crafting and fitting the bridge. While the initial cost is higher, you avoid surprise costs down the line due to the stable and long-lasting fit of the restoration.