Replace Missing Teeth With a Fixed Restoration
A missing tooth can affect more than the appearance of your smile. It may change the way you chew, alter your bite, and allow neighboring teeth to shift into the open space over time. A dental bridge is a fixed restoration designed to replace one or more missing teeth while helping restore function, appearance, and stability. At Ace Family Dental, our dentists provide dental bridges in Alpharetta and Norcross, GA, for patients who want a fixed tooth-replacement option. Treatment begins with an examination of the missing-tooth area, neighboring teeth, bite, and supporting structures to determine whether a bridge is appropriate.
A dental bridge is a custom-made restoration that spans the space created by one or more missing teeth. A traditional bridge is supported by neighboring natural teeth that are prepared for crowns, while the replacement tooth or teeth fill the space between them.
The supporting teeth are called abutment teeth, and the replacement tooth is called a pontic. Once the bridge is securely placed, it remains fixed in the mouth and is not removed by the patient.
Some people adapt to a missing tooth and may not notice an immediate problem, but changes can occur over time. Teeth next to the open space may shift, the bite may become less balanced, chewing can become more difficult, and the remaining teeth may take on additional forces.
Replacing a missing tooth can help restore chewing function, fill the visible space in the smile, support a more stable bite, and reduce unwanted movement of neighboring teeth. The right replacement option depends on the location of the missing tooth, condition of the surrounding teeth, bone support, and the patient's treatment goals.
A dental bridge may be considered for a patient who is missing one or more teeth and has neighboring teeth that can provide appropriate support. It can also be useful for patients who prefer a fixed restoration and either do not want dental implant surgery or are not ideal candidates for implant treatment.
The condition of the supporting teeth is especially important because those teeth must be healthy enough to support the restoration. Our dentists will evaluate decay, existing fillings or crowns, gum health, bone support, bite forces, and the size of the missing-tooth space before recommending treatment.
Learn more about dental implants if you are comparing tooth-replacement options.
Dental bridge treatment is planned around the missing tooth or teeth and the condition of the supporting teeth. Our dentists will evaluate the area before preparing the teeth and designing the final restoration.
Both dental bridges and dental implants can replace missing teeth, but they use different approaches. The better choice depends on the health of the neighboring teeth, available bone, number and location of missing teeth, treatment timeline, budget, and personal preferences.
A traditional dental bridge uses neighboring teeth for support. It is a fixed restoration and generally does not require implant surgery. Bridge treatment may also be completed without waiting for an implant to integrate with the jawbone. The tradeoff is that the supporting natural teeth generally need to be prepared for crowns, even when those teeth are not themselves missing.
A dental implant replaces a missing tooth using an implant placed in the jawbone and a restoration attached above it. Implant treatment does not rely on neighboring teeth for support and can help maintain bone in the area where the implant is placed. Implant treatment involves surgery and healing time, and not every patient has the same bone, medical, or financial considerations.
Our dentists can help you compare both options based on the condition of the missing-tooth area rather than assuming one approach is automatically better for every patient.
Successful bridge treatment depends on accurate diagnosis, the health of the supporting teeth, careful preparation, a well-fitting restoration, and an understanding of how the bridge will function within the patient's overall bite.
Dr. Victor Robinson also provides restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, root canal treatment, dentures, extractions, and implant restorations. This allows treatment planning to account for the condition of the supporting teeth as well as the patient's broader restorative needs.
Patients also have access to digital impressions, intraoral imaging, dental implant options, financing, most PPO insurance plans, and care at both Alpharetta and Norcross locations.
Explore your tooth-replacement options. Schedule a dental bridge consultation with Ace Family Dental to compare fixed bridge treatment with dental implants and other appropriate restorative options.
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Your Dentist
Dr. Pallavi Rakesh has practiced dentistry since 2007 and has extensive experience restoring missing and damaged teeth. Her clinical background includes thousands of dental bridges as well as more than 10,000 crowns and thousands of other restorative procedures.
Meet Our Team chevron_rightAn examination can help determine whether a dental bridge or another tooth-replacement option is appropriate before additional restorative problems develop.
Patient Reviews
Join the thousands of happy patients who trust Ace Family Dental for their oral health.
“Dr. Rakesh is personable, honest and thorough which is difficult to find in a healthcare provider. Her primary concern is the patient which is very much appreciated. Everyone at the office is friendly and patient. I have called several times to reschedule and they are always accommodating.”
“I called on a Friday with a terrible toothache. I was able to get an appointment that Monday and when I went in, I was taken back on time for my appointment and the staff was friendly and informative. Dr Rakesh was very patient and kind with me, plus gave me all the information I needed to know about my tooth. I would definitely recommend this practice.”
