How Many Teeth Does an Implant Supported Bridge Have?
To replace several missing teeth, your dentist will most likely recommend using a dental bridge or implant. Dental bridges are used to cover the gap that occurs after the loss of a natural tooth, resting on two or more natural teeth - abutments, while an implant replaces the natural root of the tooth in the jawbone and the artificial tooth is placed on top of it. Each of these solutions has advantages and disadvantages that should be evaluated by patients in order to assuage their concerns.
Unlike dental bridges, implants are a permanent solution that does not harm other healthy teeth in your mouth. Dental implants are the most modern standard of care for tooth replacement. They are integrated into the jawbone and are stable bases for single crowns (cases), bridges on implants or inlays. Made of a special titanium material with a tooth crown on top, the implants integrate with your jawbone. Dental implants have the function of natural teeth and can last a lifetime. With a custom-made crown, implants are made to fit your mouth exactly and look no different than natural teeth. They ensure jaw health by preventing bone shrinkage in areas where natural teeth are missing. Because implants are integrated into your jawbone, when you chew, they transfer forces to the bone, which is needed to keep your bones intact.
Without this energy, the jawbone atrophies and will begin to disappear, changing the shape of your mouth, the way you eat and talk, causing the appearance of premature aging. Often within the same day, dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, and a temporary crown is usually placed to cover the gaps. After this procedure, it takes three to six months to heal and allow the bone to grow around the implant. The temporary crown you will have during this healing period is made to the exact size, shape and color of the remaining natural teeth. Once you are fully healed, your dentist will replace the temporary bridge with a more permanent prosthesis. The most typical configuration for implant-supported bridges is three teeth on two implant posts, however, depending on your case, your dentist might recommend a different configuration.
The benefits of an implant-supported bridge includes:
* Bone maintenance: Implants have been shown to help stabilize your jawbone and protect against bone loss
* Comfort: Bridge-supported implants are stable and comfortable
* Better nutrition: Implants are strong enough to withstand the pressures exerted during chewing, allowing you to have a healthier and more varied diet.
* Improved self-confidence: Implant-supported bridges don't move when you eat or talk, so you can feel comfortable in your social environment without worrying about them moving out of place.
* Improved appearance: Loss of teeth and jawbone affects facial morphology and can make you look several years older than you actually are. The prosthetic work used in the original All-on-4 method is designed to replace the height lost between the upper and lower jaw and properly support your cheeks and lips.
