You may have been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information to be found about dental implants online – yet the volume of this material can often mislead, misguide and confuse. Allow us to cut through the noise, here we look at dental implant bridges – what they are, why they are used and who they may be suitable for.
What is a dental implant bridge?
A dental implant-support bridge has much in common with regular dental bridges, however rather than being freestanding, they are instead supported by implants attached to the jawbone, rather than the existing teeth.
Who would a dental implant bridge be suitable for?
A dental implant bridge is suitable for use where there is more than one tooth missing. Another instance where it may be suitable, is for patients who could suffer from pressure being placed on individual implants that are in different areas of the mouth. As an example, it may be that teeth grinding (which is a condition that can be suffered naturally, as well as owing to certain medication) can place so much pressure on an implant that they become damaged. Using a bridge in this instance will spread any pressure across the mouth.
How does a dental bridge work?
An implant-supported bridge has three elements:
The implant – The implant that will be surgically attached to your jawbone is made from titanium; in usual instances, you will have one implant for each and every missing tooth. A bridge is used where a traditional implant may not be suitable – with your dentist skipping spaces in replacement for a bridge. This can overcome issues such as there being too little bone, or where the implants may be close to a nerve.
The abutment – The abutment is a cylinder created from titanium, gold or porcelain (which material will differ from provider to provider). This component is screwed into the implant and may either be of a standard size, or may be customised to you by your dentistry expert.
The restoration – The restoration is the actual tooth part, with a number of crowns in a row. These are created from porcelain and are fused to the metal of the abutment.
How long does the implant process take?
Dental implants of any variety can take a relatively long time period. Typically speaking lower jaw bridge implants can take five months, whilst the upper jaw may require seven months. Your dentist will be able to advise on this, and they will also talk you through the procedure at length (generally speaking dental implants require two separate surgeries).
