WHAT ARE IMPLANT SUPPORTED BRIDGES?

13th March 2019

WHAT ARE IMPLANT SUPPORTED BRIDGES?

Implant supported bridges, or dental bridges, are actually a very versatile treatment that have not one, not two, but three different treatment methods depending on your needs. You’d be forgiven if you weren’t sure what implant supported bridges were or which one you need, so of course we at Abbey House Dental are here to help by shedding some light on the subject!

Your introduction to implant supported bridges

Replacing a missing tooth (or multiple teeth) can be done with an implant supported bridge. We offer three different types of dental bridges depending on your needs…

• The traditional dental bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth being held in place by dental crowns fixed over your natural teeth or a false tooth between two dental implants, depending on your needs.
• The Maryland bridge uses two of your natural teeth for support, one each side of the gap. The Maryland bridge uses metal frameworks to bond to the back of your neighbouring teeth like wings, with a porcelain replacement tooth filling the gap.
• The Cantilever bridge is an option for when there is only a natural tooth on one side of the gap. This involves fixing a pontic to a dental crown to the supported tooth.

What are implant supported bridges made of?

The implant is made of titanium and surgically placed in the jawbone. We use this metal because of how it interacts with the bone, as it invites your jawbone to heal around it and fuse with it. This creates a very strong root for your replacement teeth. The restorations are your replacement teeth in the form of dental crowns. They are made of porcelain for their durability, natural tooth colouring, and strength during function. These will be custom made to your natural teeth to ensure that they are not noticeable in your smile, restoring it to a more natural appearance.

The treatment process

Because every patient is unique, every treatment duration will differ. Generally speaking, though, we can perform this treatment journey in 3 simple procedures. The first is placing the dental implants in the jawbone which is a minor surgical procedure requiring only a general anaesthetic. We then leave the gums to heal after this surgery for around 6 months, and when our x-rays show the procedure has healed and fused correctly, we can move on to the second. This second procedure is even more simple than the first, simply involving us making small incisions into your gums to expose the tops of the implants, as the tissue will have healed over them. We then allow the gums to heal again though this time away from the roots using special caps over the treatment area. This is only temporary, however, as soon you will be ready for your restorative crowns! These will have been custom-made to your teeth so that they blend into your natural smile. How they are placed will depend on the treatment option deemed best for you.
Implant supported bridges are useful for replacing multiple or just one missing tooth, restoring form and function to your mouth seamlessly. If you’d like to find out your treatment options, simply enquire online or speak to a member of our team at Abbey House Dental in Stoke-on-Trent today on 01785818037.