How Many Teeth Does an Implant Supported Bridge Have

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, a few missing teeth in one area, or even a full arch of teeth. An implant-supported bridge utilizes two or more dental implants to support an implant restoration for multiple consecutive missing teeth; the exact number of implants used depends on the number of teeth being replaced. Dental implants are one of the best ways to restore missing teeth! They support bone health and are much more stable and comfortable than other traditional restorations. A traditional bridge compromises the teeth adjacent to the space because they have to be prepared to allow room for a crown to be placed on them. A traditional bridge also permits bone deterioration since nothing is available to stimulate bone growth. Implant bridges help maintain bone health and do not compromise the health of neighboring teeth! How many teeth does an implant-supported bridge have? Most bridges are made up of three to four teeth but they can support more. A three-tooth bridge will have two implant crowns and one pontic between them. A four-tooth bridge will have 2 pontics between the two implant crowns. A full arch is called an all-on-4 implant-supported denture and uses between four and eight implants per arch. Depending on the number of teeth you need to have replaced and where they are in your mouth, you may need more than one bridge placed. What are implant-supported bridges made of? As with all implant restorations, an implant bridge is made up of multiple parts: the implants, the abutments, and the restoration. The implants and the abutments are fabricated from titanium and the restoration is typically made from porcelain. The restoration is fabricated using two implant crowns on each end of a series of pontics. Advantages of an Implant-Supported Bridge Implant-bridges have a few advantages over traditional bridges. First and foremost, they support bone health and encourage bone regeneration. Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots to stimulate bone growth and prevent degeneration. Patients with a traditional bridge can experience bone loss at the site of their pontic because there is nothing in place to signal osteoblast cells to generate bone tissue and the bridge will need to be replaced. Implant-supported bridges are also easy to care for. A water flosser is a good addition to your oral care routine to help flush food particles and bacteria out from under the bridge. Good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning and check up will help implant-supported bridges last as long as possible! If you are missing a few teeth in one area of your mouth and would like to know more about implant-supported bridges, speak with your dentist to see if you are a candidate. Not everyone is healthy enough and able to endure implant placement surgery as well as the extensive healing time. If you are overall healthy and ready to improve your nutrition and quality of life, see if an implant-supported bridge is a good option for you!

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