What is an implant-supported bridge?
Instead of using existing teeth to support a bridge, a dental implant may be substituted to provide support for one or both sides of a dental bridge. This is a popular option that can provide a very secure restoration. This solution is particularly helpful when there are several adjacent missing teeth.
The bridge replaces multiple adjacent missing teeth without the use of a denture. This restoration typically requires two implants to support the porcelain bridge. The bridge provides a functional and aesthetic replacement for the patient’s natural teeth.
Once the implants have integrated into the bone, the crowns which replace the missing teeth are connected to each other to form one piece, which is fixed in place. These are a wonderful option for dentures because they stay in the mouth all the time, including at night during sleep. These implant-supported bridges do not move or shift during eating, nor do they create sore spots on the gums like dentures do sometimes.
How does an implant-supported bridge work?
The implant-supported bridge consists of titanium implants that are surgically placed in the bone. The abutment, which is a cylinder made of titanium, gold, or ceramic is screwed into the implant. The restoration is the part of the bridge that mimics the teeth. It is actually a series of crowns connected together to form a bridge. The bridge is made of zirconia or metal.