Effects of Tooth LossNo one wants to have to suffer from tooth loss. It is embarrassing, painful, makes eating difficult, and can even affect our speech. Fortunately, there are tooth replacement options available. Implant Supported BridgesWhen it comes to teeth replacement, dental bridges have been commonly used to fill in gaps from missing teeth. There are different dental bridges that are available, and among them, implant supported bridges have to be the most revolutionary for restoring your smile. At Dallas Oral Surgery Associates, we can help you decide if implant supported bridges are the right choice for you. What are Implant Supported Bridges?There are four main types of dental bridges: implant supported, traditional, cantilever, and Maryland bridges. Dental bridges use a replacement tooth, also known as a pontic, which is held in place by either teeth or implants. Implant supported bridges, as the name suggests, use implants to hold the bridge in place instead of teeth or crowns. We use implant supported bridges when the patient has multiple missing teeth. For every tooth that is missing, you will require an implant. We place these implants using surgery, which then holds the bridge in place. What Is the Process Like?It will take several appointments with us in order to receive implant supported bridges. This is because the implants are surgically embedded in the jawbone and then allowed to heal for several months. After the implant sites have healed completely, a mold is made using the impressions of your mouth and a crown is a custom made for you. We then place the bridge on the implants either using cement or screws. Because the implants are surgically fitted into your jaw before we place the bridge, implant supported bridges are considered to be extremely stable. Implant supported bridges can be of two types, either fixed or removable. The removable kind is known as overdentures, where the dental bridge can be removed for cleaning and maintenance. We recommend this treatment for those who have suffered from bone loss in their jaw along with losing their teeth. Fixed dental bridges, on the other hand, are permanently attached to the implant and can only be removed by our team. Why Choose Implant Supported Bridges?Since there are several types of dental bridges available, it is important to understand your own requirement regarding tooth replacement before opting for a treatment. Traditional bridge treatment - while being less invasive, durable, and aesthetically pleasing - can over a period of time weaken the jawbone. This is because the jawbone remains unstimulated and results in bone loss. Implant supported bridges offer no such drawbacks. Even though the completion of the treatment may require six to nine months, its many advantages outweigh any cons. The primary benefit of using implants is that they do not require any alteration to your existing teeth while placing the bridge. Due to the implants being to fuse with bone, it acts exactly like your natural tooth root and prevents bone loss. Implant supported bridges are comparable to your natural teeth when it comes to caring for them. That means that no special care, other than basic dental hygiene and dental visits, is required after we complete the treatment. If you need tooth replacement, whether it is a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, implant supported bridges can be a great treatment option for you. To learn more, reach out to Dallas Oral Surgery Associates by calling us at 214-363-9946 today! |
