When you are missing teeth, it can have an impact on the way you look and how you feel about yourself. It can also be more difficult to chew food or to speak clearly, meaning your teeth are not as functional as they need or used to be.
Implant-supported bridges are a tooth replacement option designed to restore proper function to your mouth. Giving you a seamless smile you can be proud of.
At Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Independence, we understand your oral health is important and we want to help you look and feel confident knowing your dental health is protected. Our experienced dental team will work with you to give you the smile of your dreams.
What Is an Implant-Supported Bridge?
Similar to traditional dental bridges, implant-supported bridges are used to fill in or “bridge” the gap left by a lost tooth or teeth. Your teeth do not support an implant-supported bridge like traditional bridges. Instead, they are attached to posts that are implanted into your jawbone to give you a root-like function to support the bridge.
This restorative dental procedure involves several steps:
- Exam: Your dentist will ask you some medical questions, perform a thorough examination and take x-rays. This will take place during the consultation or initial appointment.
- Impressions: An impression of your mouth will be taken to be used as a mold for your new bridge.
- Implant placement: During your first procedure, the dentist will embed the implants into your jaw and cover them with gum tissue. This will give you a strong support for the bridge.
- Healing and Temporary Restoration: After your implant sites have healed, you’ll be fitted with a temporary implant-supported bridge which you’ll use for a couple of months.
- Porcelain Bridge Fitting: Finally, your new porcelain implant-supported bridge will replace the temporary bridge. The bridge will sit comfortably and firmly on the embedded post and can be left permanently.
While these steps seem long, it makes up for it by giving you decades worth of strong teeth that protect your oral health and restore functionality to your teeth. The more time we give the site to heal the better the results will be, so it is important to be patient during the process.
Why Would I Need Implant-Supported Bridges?
The main reason that patients choose restorative dental procedures like implant-supported bridges is to restore function to the mouth and teeth. Most teeth can be replaced by either removable or implant-supported bridges. Implant-supported bridges stimulate your jaw giving you less wrinkles and a stronger jaw as well as protecting your alignment and bite.
Regular bridges do not have the stimulation to your jaw and can result in shifting teeth and allowing your jaw to weaken overtime—both of which would change the fit of your bridge and cause you to need a replacement.
Implant-supported bridges may be right for you if your oral health is good, you have recently lost or removed teeth, or you want the convenience and natural appearance that dental implant-supported bridges offer.
Healing Timeline From Implant-Supported Bridge Procedure
You may be wondering how long takes to heal from implant-supported bridge treatment. It can take several months of repeated visits to your dentist to complete the process of installing implant-supported bridges.
Between each phase, you’ll be given time to heal and prepare for the next steps. On average, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to fully recover from dental implant surgery. Your dentist will ask you to come in periodically through that time to check on your healing progress.
Being patient during the healing process is imperative to the end result of the procedure. The more healed the site is, the better the result will be. Waiting for it to heal properly will lessen the chance for infection and pain from occurring.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Bridges
There are numerous perks with this treatment other than restoring the functionality of your teeth. Some of these benefits include:
- Cosmetic Boost: This will strengthen your jaw, keeping your face lifted and youthful. This treatment will restore your smile and allow you to talk, eat, and smile confidently as well as protecting your alignment.
- Durability: This treatment works as a tooth replacement, allowing you to have the functionality of a tooth for years to come.
- Compatibility: Due to the titanium material in the rods for the implants, the gums and jawbone handle the implant process very well. The porcelain material of the bridge is also compatible with the gums.
- Strong Oral Health: The implant-supported bridges will block off the missing tooth site from bacteria and food getting trapped, which keeps it from getting infected. This will help protect your tooth from tooth decay that a missing tooth is extremely susceptible to.
There are many more benefits to implant-supported bridges and depending on your needs you may experience a neverending list of them.
What Are Implant-Supported Bridges Made of?
Because they are intended to replace your natural teeth, bridges are made of strong and durable materials. An implant-supported bridge consists of several parts. To ensure there are no harmful side effects or reactions, all dental implant components are made of biocompatible materials:
- The implant posts embedded into your jawbone are made of titanium and act as a replacement for the root of the missing tooth or teeth.
- Abutments connect the implant to the bridge and are commonly made of titanium, porcelain, or gold.
- The restoration area is the artificial tooth or teeth. This is the visible part of the bridge and is made of tooth-colored ceramics, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or composite resin.
Schedule a Consultation for Restorative Dentistry Today
If you are in the Independence area, Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is a great choice for all your dental needs, especially implant-supported bridges and other restorative dentistry services if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us, or schedule an appointment today.