Each year, millions of Americans experience tooth loss. For many, dental implants are the best method to replace missing teeth. With years of experience placing dental implants, the team at SEDA Dental in Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Pinecrest, and North Miami Beach, Florida, has used dental implants to help countless patients regain their bright and beautiful smiles. Call or book online today to schedule your first appointment.
An implant-retained bridge is very similar to a traditional dental bridge. The only real difference is that it’s supported by a dental implant instead of your natural, permanent teeth.
Traditional dental bridges rely on dental crowns for support; a false tooth (or pontic) sits in the gap, and your SEDA Dental provider bonds dental crowns to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
Implant-retained bridges are much sturdier and longer-lasting than traditional dental bridges. They also mimic the strength and chewing abilities of your permanent teeth.
There are several reasons you might benefit from an implant-retained bridge. For example, if you’re only missing one permanent tooth, an implant-retained bridge provides an affordable and effective long-term solution to restore your smile.
You might also benefit from an implant-retained bridge if you regularly grind or clench your teeth. If you grind your teeth and have regular dental implants, you’re also more likely to experience implant failure. An implant-retained bridge reduces pressure on the individual implants in your jaw and spreads the force across the entire bridge.
Placing an implant-retained bridge usually takes two separate surgeries and a period of 6-12 months. While this might seem like a long period of time, it’s important to remember that with proper care, an implant-retained bridge can last a lifetime.
During your first surgery, your SEDA Dental provider carefully places your dental implant – a small, metal post – into the space where your permanent tooth used to be. After placing the implant, you’re sent home to recover for 3-4 months. During this time, your bone grows around the implant, fusing it to your jaw.
Once your jaw heals, you return to SEDA Dental and your dentist takes impressions of your teeth. Your dentist then sends your impressions to a laboratory that manufactures your implant-retained bridge.
A week or two later, you return to SEDA Dental for your final surgery. During your second surgery, your dentist attaches a small metal post to your implant and bonds it to your implant-retained bridge. You leave the office with a fully restored smile.
You care for your implant-retained bridge just like you would your natural teeth. Brush twice each day, floss once a day, and visit the team at SEDA Dental once every six months for a professional dental cleaning and oral exam.
To see if you’re a candidate for an implant-retained bridge, make an appointment at SEDA Dental today by calling the office nearest you or by clicking the online booking tool.
