Complete Fixed Bridge Edmonds, WA

Rendering of jaw with dental bridge at Edmonds Dental Studio in Edmonds WashingtonIf you are missing all or most of your teeth, everyday activities such as eating, speaking, and smiling can become daunting tasks. Luckily, there are more tooth replacement options than ever before. At Edmonds Dental Studio, we specialize in a full-arch appliance known as a complete fixed bridge.

Types of Full-Arch Restorations

As specialists in prosthodontics, we offer full-arch restorations designed to restore the function and aesthetics of your smile. The type of restoration you receive depends on your desired results and individual situation. Common full-arch restorations include:•  Removable Dentures: Most removable dentures consist of false teeth set in a flesh-colored acrylic base. This removable appliance may be a good solution if you do not have enough bone in the jaw to support dental implants. •  Implant-Supported Overdentures: This restoration is similar in appearance to a removable denture. However, instead of resting on the gum tissue, we utilize a series of implants for support. The implants improve the comfort, security, and longevity of your appliance. •  Complete Fixed Bridge: This restoration is typically made from porcelain or some other type of ceramic material. Porcelain allows us to replicate the appearance of your natural teeth while providing the strength you need to support your bite force. •  All-on-4® Treatment Concept: This appliance is a type of complete fixed bridge that, as the name suggests, only relies on four dental implants per arch. Other fixed bridges require anywhere from six to eight implants for support.

The Implant Process

The implant process begins with your consultation appointment. Dr. Hasan Dbouk will review your possible treatment options and perform a comprehensive examination to ensure that implants are right for you. Once we determine that implants are appropriate, we can schedule your first surgery. During this procedure, we will make several incisions in the gum tissue to expose the underlying bone. Next, we will place your series of implants. The number of implants you receive depends on the type of restoration and the amount of bone in the jaw. After your first surgery, the implants and your jawbone should fuse during the process of osseointegration. This process may take anywhere from six months to over a year depending on the number of implants and the status of your bone. Osseointegration is integral to the success of your implants. We cannot place your complete fixed bridge until osseointegration is complete. In the meantime, you will receive a temporary restoration to protect your implants and restore your ability to properly chew and speak. Once your final bridge is ready, we will remove the temporary and attach the ceramic restoration to your implant posts.

Complete Fixed Bridge Vs. Removable Dentures

Complete fixed bridges have some benefits over removable dentures. Because the restoration is supported by implants, your complete fixed bridge will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. Unlike a removable denture, your new teeth will never slip or irritate you while eating, chewing, or speaking. Traditional dentures also need to be replaced, repaired, or relined every five to seven years. Your implants should last for several decades. With the proper care and maintenance, your new teeth may even last a lifetime!

Schedule Your Consultation

If you around Edmonds, WA and would like to learn more about our implant solutions, we are happy to help. Call (425) 775-1045 to schedule your consultation appointment today!
Why Choose a Complete Fixed Bridge

Benefits of a Complete Fixed Bridge

A complete fixed bridge replaces a full arch of missing teeth with a non-removable, ceramic restoration anchored to dental implants. Because it is supported by implants set into the jawbone rather than resting on the gums, it restores the look, feel, and function of natural teeth without the movement of a removable denture.

Fixed & Non-Removable

The bridge is secured to your implants and stays in place, so it will not slip or need to be taken out at night the way a conventional denture does.

Preserves Jawbone

Implants stimulate the jawbone like natural tooth roots, helping to limit the bone resorption that gradually occurs beneath a removable denture.

Strength & Natural Aesthetics

Porcelain or ceramic teeth replicate the appearance of a natural smile while providing the strength needed to stand up to everyday bite force.

Cared For Like Natural Teeth

Because it is fixed in the mouth, the bridge is cleaned with routine brushing, flossing or a water flosser, and regular checkups — no adhesives or overnight soaking.

Common Questions

Complete Fixed Bridge FAQ

A complete fixed bridge is a full-arch restoration that replaces all of the teeth in an upper or lower arch and is anchored to dental implants placed in the jaw. Unlike a removable denture, it stays fixed in the mouth and is not taken out. The visible teeth are typically made from porcelain or another ceramic material to replicate the look of natural teeth while supporting your bite force.

A complete fixed bridge is supported by implants and stays anchored in place, so it does not rest on the gums, slip, or need to be removed at night. Because the implants stimulate the jawbone, a fixed bridge also helps limit the bone resorption that gradually occurs under a traditional denture. Removable dentures can be a good option when there is not enough bone to support implants.

The number of implants depends on the type of restoration and the amount of available bone in the jaw. Many complete fixed bridges are supported by six to eight implants per arch, while the All-on-4 treatment concept is designed to support a full arch on four implants. Diagnostic imaging is used during your consultation to plan the right number and position of implants.

Because a complete fixed bridge is not removable, it is cleaned in the mouth much like natural teeth. Daily brushing and cleaning beneath and around the bridge with floss or a water flosser, along with regular professional cleanings, help keep the gums and implants healthy. Good hygiene around the implants is important to reduce the risk of peri-implantitis, an inflammatory condition that can affect the tissue supporting an implant.

Treatment usually begins with a consultation and surgery to place the implants, followed by a healing period called osseointegration in which the implants fuse with the jawbone. This can take several months and, in some cases, up to about a year depending on the number of implants and the condition of the bone. A temporary restoration is worn in the meantime, and the final ceramic bridge is attached once healing is complete. Schedule a consultation to discuss your personal timeline.

Schedule Your Visit

Edmonds Dental Studio — Advanced Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry in Edmonds, WA. Call or request an appointment today.

Request an Appointment Call (425) 775-1045