If 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.
Complete Fixed Bridge Edmonds, WA
If 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.
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.