23
Aug
Replace Your Missing Teeth with Solid and Functional Implant-supported Bridges
When you lose your tooth to extraction, gum disease, or injury, it can be overwhelming, but it’s good to know that’s not the end of your smile. A Dental & Denture offers several teeth replacement options in Seattle, Washington, to help you look and feel great again. One of the options Ms. Angelica Summer and the team use to replace teeth is implant-supported bridges. An implant bridge features several prosthetic teeth anchored by dental implants.
What is an implant bridge?
Losing teeth has a cascading effect on other teeth. If you don’t act quickly with teeth replacements, tooth loss creates an uneven distribution of chewing forces in the mouth. Over time, the remaining teeth wear out prematurely, and some begin to shift, which can eventually cause tooth loss. A dental bridge resolves these problems by holding your teeth in place.
A bridge is an artificial appliance used to replace one or more teeth in a row. A traditional bridge consists of artificial teeth, known as pontics, secured in place by the nearby healthy teeth (abutments). These abutments must be reshaped and crowned to offer optimal stability to the bridge. Traditional bridges work, but there is another way to replace missing teeth with a bridge without altering otherwise healthy teeth.
An implant bridge doesn’t need the support of surrounding teeth. This tooth replacement usually spans the edentulous space with dental implants anchored in the jaw at the far end of the space without teeth. A traditional bridge can only replace 2-4 teeth, but an implant-supported bridge can replace more teeth in a row.
What does it take to place an implant-supported bridge?
Like most procedures, your treatment starts with a consultation. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for implant bridges. The doctor evaluates your eligibility by taking digital X-rays, scans, and intraoral photos of your mouth. Potential candidates must have a healthy jawbone and must be free from tooth decay and gum disease. Next, the dentist will devise a treatment plan, establishing the number of implants required, where to place, etc.
We’ll administer your implant surgery with high precision to ensure they are optimally positioned in relation to your nerves, sinuses, and other surrounding structures. After surgery, we’ll give your implants 4-6 months to heal and osseointegrate with the jawbone. During healing, we advise our patients to observe diligent oral hygiene, quit tobacco use, and honor follow-up appointments for successful osseointegration.
When your implants heal and fuse with the jawbone, we’ll attach a permanent, custom-made bridge. This bridge is created to the exact specifications of your teeth’ color, shape, and size. The new bridge will look natural and is solid enough to handle pressure when chewing and grinding.
What are the benefits of implant-supported bridges?
The significant benefit of implant bridges is their stability. These appliances are secured in the jawbone, rivaling your natural teeth’s stability when speaking, eating, or smiling. An implant bridge won’t wobble, slip, or fall out when using your teeth.
The other benefits include:
- They require simple maintenance.
- Natural feel and appearance.
- They stabilize the remaining teeth.
- Implant bridges offer a durable solution for missing teeth.
- Implants preserve the jawbone in the area placed.
- Enhanced aesthetics and oral function.
Do you need implant bridges?
Are you missing teeth in Seattle, WA? Your brand-new smile is just a phone call away. Call (206) 440-1500 to schedule an appointment with A Dental & Denture.
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Angelica P. Summer, DPD, has been a Licensed Denturist in Seattle, Washington, since 1996. She has owned and operated A Dental and Denture in North Seattle since 1999. She completed her education at the University of the East and specializes in creating all types of dentures while you wait. Angelica is an active member of the Washington Denturist Association, National Denturist Association, and International Federation of Denturists.
Fawaz Hatem, BDS, MSD, is an Oral Medicine Specialist with over 20 years of experience. He completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in Baghdad, Iraq, and obtained a Master’s degree from the UW School of Dentistry and further training from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Dr. Hatem has specialized training in Invisalign orthodontic treatment, sleep dentistry, teeth whitening, and administering Botox and dermal filler injections to enhance facial aesthetics and relieve TMJ symptoms. He is proficient in Arabic and English.