What is an implant-supported dental bridge?

Do you have missing teeth? Whether you’re missing teeth because of tooth decay, gum disease, or an injury, your dentist can bridge or close the gap with a false tooth, also known as a pontic (an artificial tooth on a dental bridge), that is held in place by dental implants on either side of the gap. The implants will also replace your missing teeth.

At SuttonPDA, we typically use porcelain pontics so that the false tooth blends in with your natural smile. For an implant-supported bridge, you will typically require a two-step surgery:

• 1st step) Dr. Reshad, our implant dentist, will surgically insert two screw-like posts into your jawbone. He will place them on either side of the missing tooth where the bridge will be positioned. The posts will function as artificial tooth roots.
• 2nd step) After allowing 4-6 months for the artificial roots to heal and integrate into your bone, Dr. Reshad will place the bridge. The new artificial teeth will look and function very much like real ones.

Though, there are some ground rules: you need a healthy jawbone for a dental implant to remain securely embedded. Additional bone grafting procedures may be necessary if you suffer from bone loss (e.g., periodontitis).

The aim is to have enough bone stock to heal tightly around the implant.
 

Traditional dental bridges vs. implant-supported dental bridges

Standard bridges usually last 5-15 years, whereas implant bridges are a more permanent solution. However, poor dental hygiene can be detrimental to bridges’ life, including implanted supported ones.
 

Benefits of a dental bridge

Replacing your missing teeth will be beneficial in many ways. It will allow you:

• to chew normally
• restore your smile as well as pronunciation and speaking abilities
• avoid your neighboring teeth from drifting
• maintain your facial structure and prevent a sunken-in face appearance
• evenly distribute the pressure you exert when chewing

Implant-supported dental bridges require experience

Though implant-supported dental bridges are often straight forward, the procedure may become more complex when you require bone grafting, for instance.

With over 27 years of experience, Dr. Reshad brings the necessary know-how for successful outcomes.

Dr. Reshad also uses state-of-the-art technology and the best available grafting materials available. These (materials) facilitate integration with and growth of your natural bone.

If you wish to know whether a dental implant is the right solution for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Reshad.