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Dental Implant Bridge – Procedure, Pros, and Cons

Faris Kirmani • Feb 18, 2022

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Many people suffer tooth loss because of accidents or oral disease. According to a study by The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, around 3.5 billion have suffered caries because of disease, and 2.3 billion are those who lose their permanent teeth; the rest are kids, they lose their milk teeth. .

When you leave multiple gaps untreated, it kickstarts a whole host of problems, that can make the situation even worse. One way to halt the issue of multiple missing teeth is with a dental implant bridge.

This article discusses implant-supported bridges so you can find out why they may be a good option for you.

What is Implant-supported Dental Bridge - An Overview

Tooth loss can make you feel less confident about yourself and take away your natural smile. Likewise, anyone who has experienced an ill-fitting denture will know that it can be a miserable experience. Thankfully dental implants can help.

In this procedure, your dentist replaces the gap or gaps with an artificial implant and a supporting dental implant bridge. After getting dental implants and a subsequent bridge, you’ll be ready to face the world with a broad and beautiful smile.

One key advantage of the dental implant bridge is that it’s such a healthy procedure. Unlike a conventional bridge, no teeth are shaped to support it. In other words, an implant-supported bridge is supported by dental implants and not natural teeth. This means that no natural teeth are tampered with or altered in any way. This procedure is perfect for situations where you need to fill more than one gap. You can even get a full-mouth denture with only four to six implant roots.

The best thing about implant-supported dental bridges is they can last for many years. In some cases, the bridge might wear out. However, your implants should not require extra maintenance. People tend to choose them instead of conventional dental bridges because they remain stable in the mouth. They won’t move or shift as conventional dentures can. Bone quality also gets strengthened with dental implants and implant bridges and they become sturdier as the new bone merges around them. Read more here.

Implant-Supported Dental Bridge - Detailed Procedure

Here is a complete procedure of how the missing tooth is implanted through an implant-supported dental bridge:

Preparing the Mouth for the Procedure

The supported dental implant bridge starts from the complete analysis of your teeth and jaw-bone. For that, the dentist has to go through your medical history or complete mouth-scanning, You may also require a bone graft procedure, so this is something to bear in mind.

Implant Insertion

At this step, your dentist will insert the implant into the jawbone in a short surgical process. After surgery, you will need to allow some time for your bone tissue to heal entirely around the titanium implant. In some cases, dental implants are covered with a healing cap. A temporary restoration can also be installed until you recover. Temporary restoration might include:

A composite dental bridge,
A partial denture
Suck-down retainer

At this stage, you might have to visit the dental clinic regularly so your dentist can gauge when healing has taken place and when you’re finally ready to receive your permanent implant-supported bridge.

Impressions

Any temporary restorations will be removed at this stage, and the impression of the teeth will be taken to send to the laboratory. Now, you will have to wait again until your permanent implant bridge is designed. Meanwhile, a temporary bridge is installed to fill the gap.

Permanent Bridge Placement

The final stage of the dental implant bridge procedure is the placement of your permanent prosthesis. Once that’s in position, you’re free to enjoy your new trouble-free smile.

Implant Bridge Pros include

High stability, as it is supported by dental implants
It helps you restore the tooth permanently
No natural teeth are harmed
It helps you avoid bone loss

Cons

It involves several appointments
It costs more than conventional dental bridge procedures
It might not be suitable under certain medical conditions.

Am I the Right Candidate to Get a Dental Implant Bridge?

To get dental implants, you must be in good overall health. Remember this requires a short surgical procedure so, like all surgical procedures, you need to be in relatively good health. That said, if you tick the boxes above and you are already a long-term denture wearer, or you have multiple missing teeth, you might be a good candidate for an implant-supported bridge.

How Can I Make My Dental Implant Bridge Last Longer?

It is important to maintain your dental implant bridge. Here’s how:

Brush properly
Floss
Quit smoking (for smokers)

Want to find out more about the benefits of implant-supported bridges?

Are you tired of wearing conventional dentures that move in the mouth? Or are you looking to close one or more tooth gaps and restore your smile? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. Riverlands Dental in Richmond has an experienced team who can help you restore your smile. Why not book an appointment today and consult with our highly skilled team. We’ll see if you’re a good candidate, talk you through the process and answer any questions or concerns you might have. Call us now on (02) 4501 7930.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.