What to Expect When Getting an Implant-Supported Bridge: A Simple Guide

Not only do missing teeth spoil your smile and knock your confidence, but they can also affect your oral health. In such cases, a dentist might recommend a regular dental bridge to replace the missing teeth but this may not be feasible if you don’t have sufficient healthy teeth at either side of the gap to secure the bridge. What happens then? Well, in this case, your dentist might recommend an implant-supported bridge. This provides a long-lasting and natural solution if you are missing two or more teeth.

What is a dental implant-supported bridge?

An implant-supported bridge functions in more or less the same way that a regular dental bridge with the difference being that it is fixed in place with dental implants instead of dental crowns bonded to healthy teeth. It also offers a stronger, more comfortable solution to dentures.

An implant-supported bridge is made up of 3 parts:

1. A titanium rod that is surgically placed into the jawbone and acts as an artificial tooth root.
2. An abutment made from titanium, porcelain or gold which is screwed to the implant.
3. The restoration - a series of dental crowns fused and attached to the abutment sub-structure.

The implants are strategically placed into the jawbone to secure the restoration.

What’s involved in the implant-supported bridge procedure?

Here are the steps involved:

1. Initial consultation

Your journey will begin with a consultation with your dentist. During this visit, a comprehensive oral examination will be carried out using visual and diagnostic tools such as X-rays and 3D scans to evaluate your oral health. These checks will determine if you have sufficient bone density to support the implants, the condition of your oral health and whether any underlying issues need to be addressed before going any further. Your dentist will also ask about your dental history and smile goals.

2. Treatment planning

Following the consultation, your dentist will create a personalized treatment plan which will include the placement of dental implants and the design of your custom bridge. It should also contain the following:

•   a clear outline of the procedural steps
• the number of implants required
• an estimated timeline as well as a breakdown of the costs involved
• details of any finance plans available.

3. Dental implant surgery

During the initial surgery, the dentist will place titanium implants into the jawbone and cover them with gum tissue until they have fused with the surrounding bone in a process known as osseointegration. In many cases, a dentist can place two implants to secure 3 to 4 missing teeth. 4-6 dental implants can be used to support an entire arch of teeth for those missing all of their teeth in a single arch, in a process known as All-on-4, All-on-6 or teeth in a day.

4. Abutment surgery

In a second short surgery and once osseointegration has occurred, a small incision will be made in the gums to expose the implants so that the abutments can be attached and the bridge can eventually be installed.

As far as timelines are concerned, it generally takes around 3-4 months for implants in the lower jaw to fuse and 3-6 months in the upper jaw. X-rays are likely required to establish that osseointegration has been completed successfully before your second surgery is scheduled.

If you require bone grafting, there may be a healing period of 4-6 months before the initial surgery can take place, depending on the severity of bone loss.

5. Custom bridge fabrication

Once the healing period is done, the dentist will take impressions to create a custom implant-supported bridge that fits perfectly to the contours of your mouth. Precise measurements are taken to ensure a comfortable fit and natural look and the bridge is crafted from durable and lifelike materials such as porcelain, ceramics, composites and zirconium, to meet the patient’s preference.

6. Final placement

Once complete, the dentist attaches the bridge securely to the abutments, checking the fit, appearance, and alignment before making any adjustments. You can expect an instant improvement in your smile’s appearance and function and because the replacement teeth are carefully color-matched to your surrounding teeth, no one will even notice you are wearing a bridge.

Aftercare and maintenance

Your implant-supported bridge will look and function just like your natural teeth. Caring for it is simple – just brush the artificial teeth in the same way as you would your natural teeth and use a special floss or interdental brush to clean the area between the bridge and the gums. You should also visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.  It’s also wise to steer clear of hard sticky foods that could damage your bridge.

Ready to restore your smile?

An implant-supported bridge is a life-changing solution for replacing missing teeth. If you’re ready to explore this advanced dental treatment, contact Chesterfield Dentistry to schedule a free implant consultation. Call us at 314-936-3621 or use our online booking system.