Partial Fixed Bridge Edmonds, WA

Rendering of jaw with dental bridge from Edmonds Dental Studio in Edmonds, WAIf you are missing one or more teeth, you may be wondering about possible replacement options. At Edmonds Dental Studio, we believe dental implants are the ideal solution for most patients. If you are missing multiple adjacent teeth, we may recommend a partial fixed bridge.

Components of an Implant-Supported Bridge

There are three major components to a partial fixed bridge:
  • The Implant Post: A tiny titanium screw that serves as the root element of a prosthesis.
  • The Abutments: Support structures that link the implant screw to the restoration.
  • The Bridge: A series of dental crowns that link together to form a single appliance.

The Implant Procedure

The implant procedure is typically split up into two surgeries. During the first surgery, Dr. Hasan Dbouk will place the implants. The number of implants you receive depends on the number of missing teeth. We generally place an implant screw for each missing tooth. If this is not possible due to the location, we can also suspend a pontic between two implant posts. Once the implants are in place, the first surgery is complete. Over the next six to 12 months, the implant screws will fuse to your bone through a process called osseointegration. Osseointegration is largely responsible for the many benefits of implant-supported bridges. After osseointegration is complete, the implants should be able to support your restoration against the strongest forces of your bite. During the second surgery, we will expose the implant heads and attach the abutments. In some cases, it may be possible to place the abutments at the same time as your implants. Most of the time, however, we must wait until after osseointegration. Once the abutments are in place, we will take an impression of the area. The impression will be sent to our dental laboratory, where our technicians will use it to fabricate your final bridge. The fabrication process may take a couple of weeks to complete. In the meantime, we may equip you with a temporary bridge to restore your ability to chew and speak properly.

Partial Fixed Bridge Vs. Traditional Bridge

A partial fixed bridge has some advantages over a traditional bridge. Because a traditional bridge relies on your surrounding teeth for support, it can lead to secondary complications later down the line. For instance, your supporting (abutment) teeth may experience strain that causes them to crack or fracture. Bacteria can also lead to infection underneath the crowns, resulting in tooth decay. A partial fixed bridge gets its support from the implants and your underlying bone. This eliminates the risk of damaging your surrounding teeth. The implants also stimulate the jaw and prevent bone deterioration. A traditional bridge does not provide this stimulation. Over time, bone deterioration will occur, making it harder to place implants in the future. Both types of bridges will keep your remaining teeth from shifting out of their proper alignment. If you choose not to replace your missing teeth, your surrounding teeth will compensate for the open space and shift out of position. In this way, both bridges prevent future misalignments and malocclusions (problems with your bite).

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Find out if a partial fixed bridge is right for you! Call (425) 775-1045 to schedule a consultation appointment today!
Why Choose a Partial Fixed Bridge

Benefits of a Partial Fixed Bridge

When several teeth in a row are missing, an implant-supported partial fixed bridge restores the gap with a single, permanently secured appliance. Because the pontics are anchored to implants set in the jawbone rather than to your natural teeth, the restoration is designed to feel stable and function much like your own teeth.

Fixed and Secure

The bridge is anchored to implant posts and does not come in and out like a removable partial denture, so it stays firmly in place while you eat and speak.

Preserves Jawbone

The implants stimulate the underlying bone much like natural tooth roots, helping to reduce the bone deterioration that a traditional bridge does not prevent.

Spares Healthy Teeth

Support comes from the implants and your bone rather than the neighboring teeth, so healthy adjacent teeth do not need to be ground down to hold the bridge.

Restores Chewing and Alignment

Once the implants have integrated, the bridge can withstand strong bite forces and helps keep your remaining teeth from drifting out of position.

Common Questions

Partial Fixed Bridge FAQ

A partial fixed bridge replaces several missing teeth in a row — but not a full arch — with a permanently secured restoration. The replacement teeth, called pontics, are joined into a single appliance and held in place by abutments. That support can come from dental implants placed in the jawbone or, in a traditional design, from the natural teeth on either side of the gap.

An implant-supported partial fixed bridge draws its support from titanium implant posts anchored in the jawbone, while a traditional bridge relies on crowning the natural teeth beside the gap. Because it is anchored in bone, an implant-supported bridge does not require reshaping healthy neighboring teeth and helps stimulate the jaw, reducing the bone loss that often follows tooth loss.

The number of implants depends on how many teeth are missing and where they are located. In many cases one implant is placed for each missing tooth, but when that is not possible a pontic can be suspended between two implant posts so fewer implants are used. Diagnostic imaging and an exam are used to plan the right number and position for your case.

Treatment is usually staged over several months. After the implants are placed, the posts fuse to the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration, which commonly takes about six to twelve months before the final bridge is attached. A temporary bridge may be provided in the meantime so you can chew and speak comfortably while healing.

Good candidates generally have healthy gums, enough jawbone to support implants, and multiple missing teeth in the same area. Factors such as active gum disease, insufficient bone, smoking, or uncontrolled health conditions can affect healing and success, and individual results vary. Schedule a consultation with imaging to determine whether a partial fixed bridge is the right option for you.

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