Local Dentist Earns Credential from American Academy of Implant Dentistry CHICAGO, IL. -- Peter  Zahedi, DMD, of San Rafael, CA, was recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry’s at its 2019 Annual Meeting, which was held in Las Vegas, NV, October 23 – 26.  As one of 380 dentists who hold this distinguished membership, Dr. Zahedi is one of the leading experts in implant care. Doctor Zahedi maintains a dental practice at 905 Lincoln Ave, in San Rafael, CA, United States.

To qualify for Fellowship, an expert panel of implant dentists reviewed Dr. Zahedi’s professional and leadership credentials as well as commitment to excellence in implant dental practice and to the Academy's standards for ethics and patient welfare. Dr. Zahedi was required to document for review that he was a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, the certifying board that the Academy sponsors.

Established in 1951, the AAID is the only dental implant organization that offers credentials recognized by US state and federal courts as being bona fide.  Its membership, which exceeds 5,500, includes general dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists and prosthodontists from across the United States and in more than 60 other countries. For more information about the AAID and its credentialed members, please visit www.aaid.com or www.aaid-implant.org or call the AAID at 312-335-1550.

The office will be closed from Dec 22 through Jan 02 in observance of the Christmas holidays.

905 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
415-453-1241
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An Overview of Dental Bridges for Replacing Missing Teeth

An Overview of Dental Bridges for Replacing Missing Teeth

January 7, 2022

Missing teeth from any part of your mouth, including the anterior region, are comfortably replaceable with the help of dental bridges to restore your appearance and mouths functionality. If you are affected by missing teeth, you will help yourself by discussing the problem with San Rafael Dentistry.

Dental bridges help replace missing teeth by filling the gap with one or more artificial teeth. Dental crowns on either side of the missing tooth help make dental bridges that support a Pontic between them. If you intend to get dental bridges from the dentist near me, you must have healthy teeth on both sides of the gap left by the missing tooth.

Why Would You Need a Dental Bridge?

You find a need to replace missing teeth that you lost because of tooth decay, gum disease, or injury because your remaining teeth can move into the space created by the missing tooth. In addition, the teeth in your opposing jaw also move upwards or downwards towards the opening. The movement of your teeth creates chewing difficulties, bite problems, discomfort from the additional stress on your teeth and jaws, and makes you self-conscious about your appearance. Instead of enduring the challenges described, you can end the problem by visiting dental bridges in San Rafael, seeking replacements for the missing teeth.

Types of Dental Bridges Available

When seeking replacements for missing teeth, you can find four types of dental bridges offered by dentists. They are:

  • Traditional Fixed Bridge: This variety is the most common having two or more dental crowns besides a filler tooth between them all connected to each other. The crowns keep the traditional bridge in place. Metals, porcelain fused to metal, and ceramics help make conventional bridges.
  • Cantilever Bridge: Cantilever bridges have a Pontic connecting to merely one abutment tooth. Cantilever bridges are an option if you have teeth on just one tooth on the side of the gap left by the missing tooth.
  • Maryland Bridges: Dental bridges near you offers Maryland Bridges if you have missing front teeth. Porcelain fused to metal or ceramics helps make Maryland Bridges supported by a framework. Wings on both sides of the bridge bond to your remaining teeth.
  • Implant-Supported Bridges: Similar to traditional but held by dental implants in San Rafael, implant-supported Bridges hold artificial teeth independently without support from abutment teeth.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

The lifespan of dental bridges is approximately five to seven years. However, you can extend their lifespan to over a decade with appropriate oral hygiene, regular checkups, and dental cleanings. If you decide on having implant-supported Bridges, they remain with you for a lifetime as a permanent replacement for your lost teeth.

The Procedure You Must Endure When Getting Traditional Dental Bridges

You typically require at least two appointments with the San Rafael dentist if you qualify for a traditional dental bridge.

The first appointment is for preparation for abutment (supporting) teeth when the dentist reshapes the two supporting teeth adjacent to the edentulous gap. The procedure is uncomfortable because it involves enamel and dentin removal from the surface of the supporting teeth; you receive local anesthesia to manage the discomfort. The enamel removal is to accommodate the dental crown over the abutment tooth.

After reshaping your teeth, the dentist impressions them for the dental laboratory to use as a model to create your bridge, artificial teeth, and crowns. Next, the dentist provides you a temporary bridge over the prepared teeth to protect the exposed areas until the laboratory returns your permanent replacement teeth.

Your second appointment with the dentist is for the placement of the permanent bridge. The dentist begins by removing the temporary bridge and placing the permanent bridge over the prepared teeth during the second visit. Next, the dentist carefully checks the bridge to make any adjustments if required to ensure it fits you comfortably. After verifying the fit, the dentist cements the dental bridge over your prepared teeth using special dental cement. You can leave the dental office at the end of the appointment with your lost teeth restored by dental bridges.

Are There Any Risks of Complications Associated with Dental Bridges?

You will likely experience no complications with dental bridges unless you allow tooth decay to develop in your mouth by maintaining improper oral hygiene. On rare occasions when the dental cement deteriorates, the bridge becomes loose and needs repair by the dentist. Tooth decay can cause the failure of the dental bridge while the San Rafael dentist comfortably restores deterioration of the dental cement.

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