What Is a Dental Implant Supported Bridge?

You have likely heard about what a dental implant can do to replace teeth. You may also be familiar with dental bridges. When dentists combine these two cosmetic dentistry treatments, it can be an effective way to restore smiles. An implant-supported bridge has advantages over a traditional bridge and other tooth-replacement methods. Your dentist can help you decide whether this approach makes the most sense for you and your needs.

Conventional bridges and how they work

For a patient who is missing a tooth, a dentist will insert a bridge into the mouth. This could be an option, too, when the dentist needs to extract a severely damaged or decayed tooth. The dentist begins by making molds of the patient’s tooth to make the bridge. At a following appointment, the dentist reshapes teeth on either side of the gap and then places crowns over the top. In between, where the gap is, the dentist places an artificial tooth called a pontic.

Differences with a dental implant supported bridge

An implant supported bridge has similarities to and key differences from a traditional bridge. The process is more extensive because the dentist must place implants below where there has been tooth loss. To do this, the dentist numbs the patient, cuts into the gums, and inserts titanium implants into the jawbone. There is a healing time of four to six months. This period also allows the implants to fuse to the bone.

The patient then returns to the office where the dentist then reopens the gums, exposing the implants. The dentist then places an abutment on top of the implant. After another few months of healing, the patient makes another appointment at the dentist’s office. The dentist then bonds the bridge to the implants.

Benefit: no changes to natural teeth

Perhaps the biggest reason why people choose a dental implant supported bridge is that it does not require any work on the remaining teeth. Where natural teeth are shaped for a bridge, with an implant bridge, the dentist does not have to alter their shape or size. The dentist will instead focus on the gap left by the missing tooth or teeth. This reduces the risk of any natural teeth deteriorating.

A natural solution

Having a missing tooth can be embarrassing. It also is difficult to eat and speak properly when teeth are missing. A dental implant supported bridge restores the functions of the mouth and also provides a natural-looking smile. People with these bridges can enjoy a long-lasting ability to eat most foods. The bridge can do its job effectively for 10 years or much longer with good maintenance.

Experience the difference

A traditional bridge is not the only way to fill in gaps in the mouth. Talk to your dentist today about your needs and goals. Though the process is long and requires a lot of recovery time, the results can be satisfying. Your appearance and oral health can improve thanks to a dental implant supported bridge.

Request an appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.