Missing teeth disrupt chewing, speaking, and respiration and spoil the appearance of your smile. Drs. Ryan Lepore and Erin Dougherty at Lepore Comprehensive Dentistry suggest implant bridges to replace missing teeth. Patients across the Palm Harbor, Clearwater Beach, Tarpon Springs, and Largo areas come to Lepore Comprehensive Dentistry in Dunedin, Florida, for this smile-saving service.
What is an implant bridge?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It resides in the jawbone, providing a stable foundation for a dental restoration. Often, a single missing tooth is replaced with a dental implant topped with a porcelain crown. However, an implant bridge may be a better choice when multiple teeth are missing.
Implant bridges: A versatile concept
A traditional bridge consists of an artificial tooth (or several) anchored by crowns cemented to natural teeth on each side of the gap. When three or more teeth in a span are missing, they can be replaced with an implant bridge without impact on healthy, adjacent teeth. Just two implants could serve as anchors for the bridge.
Are you a bruxer, clenching or grinding teeth during sleep? Drs. Lepore and Dougherty may recommend an implant for each missing tooth, with a one-piece bridge unit restoring the crowns. This technique spreads the force over a larger area, reducing pressure on any one implant (which could lead to implant failure).
Have you lost all teeth in an arch, or need to have them extracted? Drs. Lepore and Dougherty strategically place several implants to hold a full denture with amazing stability. An implant-retained denture can be affixed or removable.
The implant bridge process
- Implant placement is precisely planned and computer guided, so the surgical procedure is brief
- Typically, only local anesthetic or perhaps a light sedative is needed to keep you comfortable
- If teeth have been missing for a while, the process may include bone grafting.
- Temporary teeth may be provided for aesthetics.
- Soft tissue incisions generally heal within a few days.
- Integration of implants with bone takes place over several months.
- Then, Dr. Lepore or Dr. Dougherty takes impressions of your mouth to design your bridge
- They work with a professional dental ceramist on the fabrication
- When implants are stable, the bridge is securely attached.
- You receive hands-on flossing instructions to keep oral tissues around the bridge clean and healthy.
An implant-supported bridge can be used to replace multiple missing teeth and restore the aesthetics and function of your mouth. It is a single restoration that uses dental implants neighboring the space for support. It typically requires multiple appointments to complete this process.
Using dental implants to support your bridge provides a stable permanent solution to replace the missing teeth by mimicking their root structure. It also allows you to replace multiple missing teeth when it may not be feasible to place multiple implants that would allow for individual restorations.
The process begins with your doctor taking an initial impression of the area, which will be used to plan out your implant placements and design a temporary bridge for you. Next, the area is prepared for placing the dental implants. The implants are then placed into the bone, along with special healing caps. A temporary restoration can be placed over the area while you heal. Your doctor will review with you the best options for your situation.
At subsequent visits, your doctor will monitor the healing process, letting you know when the area is ready to support a permanent bridge. Once healed, an impression is taken of the area and sent to a dental laboratory. While your permanent bridge and abutments are being crafted at the lab, your doctor will attach a temporary bridge to fill the empty space in the meantime. Once your permanent restoration is completed, the abutments are secured to the implants, and the permanent bridge is secured to them. With your bridge placement complete, your teeth are restored to optimal shape and function in a way that continues to stabilize, protect, and preserve the surrounding teeth and tissue.
There is no need to live with a gap in your smile. Call (727) 608-4690 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lepore or Dr. Dougherty in Dunedin, FL.
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