Patients who have lost two or more consecutive teeth have a number of restorative options available, including implant–supported bridges. Advances in dental technology have given doctors the ability to provide their patients with natural-looking dental restorations that provide comfort and stability for years. Traditional restorations such as bridges, partial dentures, and complete dentures have come a long way and look much more natural than in years past but restorations that utilize dental implants have great benefits over traditional options.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is made up of three parts: the implant, an abutment, and the implant restoration (fake tooth). The implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed directly into the jaw bone by an oral surgeon or periodontist. The implant is left to heal and integrate with the bone tissue which can take up to six months. The extensive healing time ensures a stable foundation for the restoration! The abutment is the connecting piece between the implant and the restoration. It screws onto the implant and the restoration is then able to affix to the abutment, all held in place by the implant.
Dental implants are used to replace an individual tooth with one implant crown or can be used to support multiple missing teeth on one or more implants. Dental implants can even be used to support a full denture! Implants are incredibly stable and have the ability to last a lifetime. They also support bone health by acting as the root of a tooth, stimulating bone regeneration and preventing deterioration.
Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant bridge utilizes two or more implants to support a bridge and can replace multiple missing consecutive teeth. A traditional bridge compromises the integrity of the teeth adjacent to the space because they allow room for a crown to be placed on them. And unlike an implant-supported bridge, a traditional bridge allows for 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!
What are implant-supported bridges made of?
As with all implant-supported 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. Implant-supported bridges have a success rate above 95% so they are considered a permanent restoration and with proper care and maintenance, can potentially last a lifetime!
The restoration is fabricated using two implant crowns on each end of a series of pontics. The number of pontics corresponds to the number of teeth being replaced. 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.
If you need to have multiple teeth replaced, speak with your dentist to see if you are a candidate for an implant-supported bridge!