What are Implant-Supported Bridges Made Of?
Implant-supported bridges are a solid filling of missing teeth and are used if several (two or more) teeth are missing next to each other. Generally, to make up for missing teeth, you need at least two implants to hold the bridge, which are then connected by tooth crowns. If you are missing several teeth in a row, luckily, there is no need to invest in as many implants as you have missing teeth, which can help ease the financial burden of fixing your smile. Several crowns in the implant-supported bridge are cheaper than individual implants to replace each missing tooth.
What is an implant-supported bridge?
A traditional dental bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap -- these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth -- and a false tooth/teeth in between. A disadvantage of a traditional bridge is that you must grind down healthy teeth in order to place the bridge. The implant-supported bridge is an alternative to this. Instead of using your existing teeth as abutments, your dentist can use implants to support the bridge. Generally, you can replace three missing teeth with one or two implant posts as anchors, depending on your particular case. Inserting an implant-supported bridge between missing teeth is more expensive, but also much more convenient than inserting removable teeth on metal supports or grinding down your existing teeth for a traditional dental bridge. The stability of an implant-supported bridge is much greater than other solutions and thus, you are less likely to need to change anything about your diet or lifestyle in order to accommodate them.
How are bridges on implants made?
The first step to replace your missing teeth is to consult a dentist who is trained in implantology. The dentist must assess the condition of your entire mouth and teeth, as well as the condition of the bone into which an implant could be inserted. After deciding on the possibility of using implants for a given person and the type of implant, appropriate measurements must be made. This can be done using a CT scan or an X-ray examination and taking a bone model. Once your dentist has a thorough understanding of your mouth and your needs, they will decide on the best course forward for your implant-supported bridge.
Types of implant-supported bridges
Bridges are divided according to the substances from which the dental crowns are made. These can be all-ceramic dental bridges, which are made of strong zirconium. Zirconium does not require additional support in the form of a metal substructure. The advantage of zirconium oxide is not only its strength, but also aesthetics. So far, it is the material closest to natural teeth - it has a similar color and reflects light in a similar way. In addition, zirconium oxide is completely safe for the body (biocompatible), it does not cause hypersensitivity that may arise in the case of metal. Its safe use is evidenced by the fact that it has been used in hip prostheses for many years. All-ceramic bridges based on zirconium are made entirely of this substance and do not contain any admixtures of metals. Due to their very aesthetic and natural appearance, they are preferred for the front teeth. Ceramic dental bridges on a metal substructure are a cheaper alternative to all- ceramic bridges. However, they are inferior in appearance and, in some cases, can also cause metal sensitization in the body, leading to allergies in certain people.
