Repair Your Smile with a Dental Bridge

For patients missing one or more teeth in a row, Dr. Michael McCartney in Adel, GA, offers both traditional and implant-supported dental bridges to restore form and function. If left untreated, tooth loss can lead to serious dental complications like bone recession, misalignment, and decay. At Adel Dental Associates, we can provide patients with a dental bridge to maintain the health of the teeth and gums. For your convenience, we can complete an entire implant-supported bridge procedure in-house. That way, our team can monitor your progress and ensure the highest quality care from start to finish.

Traditional Bridges vs. Implant-Supported Bridges

A traditional bridge is a cost-effective and minimally invasive approach to replacing one or more consecutive missing teeth. A traditional bridge is a popular choice for patients with natural teeth on both sides of the gap resulting from a missing tooth. Designed from durable, realistic-looking porcelain, this type of restoration consists of at least one pontic, or artificial tooth, nestled in between two dental crowns.

At Adel Dental Associates, we can provide patients with a dental bridge to maintain the health of the teeth and gums.

An implant-supported restoration provides a more permanent solution to tooth loss and does not require the alteration of adjacent teeth. With this type of restoration, you will first need to undergo dental implant placement surgery before your final bridge can be placed.

Determine Your Candidacy

To determine whether you are a candidate for either a traditional or implant-supported bridge, Dr. McCartney will use the latest technology to examine the overall structure of your jawbone, teeth, and gums.

The best candidates for a traditional dental bridge include patients with healthy teeth and gums surrounding the site of a missing tooth. Since adjacent teeth will support a traditional bridge, it is vital that you do not show signs of tooth decay or gum disease. These conditions must be treated before moving ahead with restorations.

For patients who wish to move forward with an implant-supported bridge, Dr. McCartney will examine your jawbone to verify that you have sufficient jawbone tissue to support dental implants. If signs of significant bone loss are detected, you may have to undergo a preliminary procedure such as a bone graft before receiving your implants.

What Happens during Each Procedure?

Before your procedure, Dr. McCartney will administer a local anesthetic. If necessary, he can also administer either oral or intravenous (IV) sedation, to ensure optimal comfort. 

Traditional Dental Bridge

For a traditional bridge, Dr. McCartney will carefully reshape the teeth on either side of the gap. He will then take an impression of your smile to design your customized restoration, which will be sent to a laboratory for fabrication. Dr. McCartney may provide you with a temporary restoration to wear in the interim. When your final restoration is ready, the dentist will securely bond each crown to your adjacent teeth, with the bridge centered in the middle. Dr. McCartney will then examine your bite to ensure a proper fit and make any necessary adjustments.