Dental Bridges
Johns Creek/Cumming, GA

Tooth loss is a serious issue that can impact your entire life. Losing even a single tooth can cause major complications. While many people tend to think that a missing tooth out of view is not a big deal, a missing tooth does more than just affect your smile. At North Atlanta Family Dentistry, we can replace a missing tooth, and restore your quality of life, with a bridge.

Is Losing a Tooth Really That Big of a Deal?

Losing a tooth causes several significant complications, even if the missing tooth cannot be seen when you smile. Effects of tooth loss include

•	Trouble effectively biting and chewing, which can impede proper digestion.
•	The development of a lisp or other speech issues.
•	Food becoming trapped between your teeth, which increases your risk for cavities and gum disease.
•	Uneven distribution of chewing pressure. This increases your risk for damage to adjacent teeth.
•	The teeth begin to shift out of alignment, which alters your bite and the appearance of your smile. As your bite changes, you can develop issues such as bruxism and TMJ disorder.

What is a Bridge?

A bridge is a traditional dental restoration used for replacing a missing tooth. There are a few different types of bridges, with a fixed bridge being the most commonly used restoration. A fixed bridge has a pontic, or false, a tooth that fills in the empty space left behind by your missing tooth. The pontic tooth has two crowns, one on each side. The crowns are made to sit over the adjacent teeth, or abutment teeth, anchoring the restoration in place.

Why Get a Bridge?

There are many benefits associated with a bridge. These include

•	Restoring your abilities to bite and chew effectively. This can help to improve your digestion as well as your overall nutrition.
•	Restoring your speech.
•	Improving your oral health.
•	Evenly distributing chewing pressure, which helps to reduce the risk of tooth damage.
•	Preventing teeth from shifting out of alignment. This helps to preserve your bite, preventing crooked teeth and oral health issues.

How is a Bridge Placed?

It generally requires two separate appointments to place a bridge. The first appointment is designated for preparing your abutment teeth and taking impressions. Preparing the abutment teeth, which is done under a local anesthetic, reduces the teeth in size so that the crowns will fit properly over them. This helps to ensure that your bridge fits in naturally with the rest of your teeth.

After the teeth have been prepared, an impression is taken. We send the impression to our dental lab, where it is used to design and fabricate your custom dental bridge. It can take up to two weeks for the restoration to be completed. A temporary bridge is placed, which helps to restore aesthetics while also protecting your abutment teeth. Once your bridge is ready, you return for your second appointment. At this appointment, your bridge is checked to ensure proper fit and a comfortable bite before it is secured into place on the abutment teeth.

A bridge can restore the functions of your missing tooth and restore your quality of life. Call North Atlanta Family Dentistry at (470) 387-0500 today to learn more.