Dental Bridge in Southfield, MI

It might surprise you that over 175 million people in the US are missing at least one permanent tooth. A missing tooth, or multiple missing teeth, can cause many problems. From jawbone loss to misalignment, losing a tooth impacts both your smile and oral health. It’s important to replace missing teeth quickly, but stable and natural-looking solutions should also be a priority. Dental bridges, especially those anchored with dental implants, are among the most effective ways to replace missing teeth.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

Traditional dental bridges are devices that close the gap between two healthy teeth where one or more teeth are missing. These dental appliances offer both cosmetic and restorative benefits: they can help you look and feel better while also restoring your oral function.

Types of Dental Bridges

The most common type of dental bridge is a traditional bridge. For this variety, two dental crowns sit on top of the surrounding healthy teeth. These crowns support an attached artificial tooth, known as a “pontic,” which fills the space.

While traditional bridges are popular, they aren’t suitable for every situation. Other types of bridges address varying situations and needs.

  • Dental Bridge in Southfield, MI | Book a Free ConsultationCantilever bridges use only one crown to stabilize the bridge, similar to how a balcony connects to a building only on one side. They are best when only one healthy tooth is available to support the bridge.
  • Maryland bridges attach to the teeth not with crowns, but with metal wings bonded to the back of the surrounding teeth. They are generally used to replace front teeth, as they are not strong enough to handle the chewing power needed further back.
  • Implant-supported bridges are similar to traditional bridges but connect to dental implants rather than natural teeth. Anchored to titanium implants, these are the most stable and long-lasting bridges we offer.

At Aesthetic Dental, we utilize implant-supported bridges to provide patients like you with stable and effective solutions. This advanced option provides many benefits over traditional methods and is known for its high success rate and patient satisfaction.

The Benefits of an Implant-Supported Bridge

Implant-supported dental bridges combine the concept of bridges with the benefits of dental implants, giving patients the best of both approaches.

For example, an implant bridge offers better long-term benefits for your jaw. Since dental implants act as artificial tooth roots, they stimulate the jaw when you bite and chew, maintaining its strength and preventing further bone loss. And because the implant connects directly to the jawbone, it fills the gap in a more stable way.

This enhanced stability keeps nearby teeth from shifting out of place and protects your natural teeth from the pressure and wear that traditional bridges can cause. While traditional bridges require us to shave down your natural teeth to accommodate the crowns, no tooth alteration is necessary for implant-supported restorations.

With dental implants, you’ll feel confident knowing your dental bridge is built for the long term. However, not everyone is eligible for conventional dental implants.

Introducing: Mini Dental Implants

Often, we use mini dental implants to replace missing teeth, as they’re more accessible to those with minimal jawbone structure. These narrow-diameter alternatives offer numerous advantages, like:

  • Smaller size: Mini implants are half the width of their traditional counterparts, which makes them a great option for tight spaces and patients with reduced jawbone density.
  • Dental Bridge in Southfield, MI | Replace Teeth With Mini ImplantsStreamlined placement procedure: Traditional implants typically require multiple surgeries over several months, especially when a bone graft is necessary. Because mini implants are smaller, single-piece implants, we can place them in just one visit using a minimally invasive technique!
  • Faster recovery: Our gentle placement method makes recovery from mini implant placement much easier. In fact, most patients resume their normal activities within 24-48 hours.
  • Better durability: The single-piece titanium design of mini implants is incredibly strong and eliminates spaces between components where bacteria can gather.
  • More cost-effective: Mini implants are significantly more affordable than traditional implants due to their small size, single-piece construction, and less invasive placement.

The Dental Bridge Process

If you’re ready to fill the gap in your smile, we invite you to schedule a free consultation at Aesthetic Dental to determine if a dental bridge is right for you. To qualify for implant-supported bridges, you must be in good overall health and have sufficient jawbone density in the treatment area to support the implants.

At your consultation, we will discuss your needs and goals, conduct an oral exam, and take 3D images of your mouth and jaw. Based on these factors, we will explain your treatment options and go over costs to help you select a path forward that’s right for you.

For mini implants, on the day of the procedure, you will receive a local anesthetic to numb your gums and jaw. We will then drill a small hole into your gums and jawbone and securely screw each implant into place. Because mini implants are so small, they do not require the same healing process as traditional implants. Additionally, they cause less discomfort and post-procedural pain than their conventional counterparts!

In most cases, a temporary bridge can be connected to the implants immediately, instantly revitalizing your smile.

Learn More About Dental Bridge Solutions at Aesthetic Dental

Replacing missing teeth with mini implant-supported bridges is a reliable option backed by decades of research and success stories. With mini dental implants, you don’t need to worry about long, painful procedures that require an extensive recovery. Instead, we can restore your smile quickly—all thanks to the implant design and our gentle placement technique. While these innovations might be physically mini, they translate to big cost savings, exceptional results, and long-term tooth replacement!

Don’t wait any longer to get the dental care you need. Schedule a free consultation to take the next step towards a confident smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of your dental bridge depends on the type of bridge, the materials we use, and how many teeth you need to replace.

During your free consultation, we will create a custom treatment plan that suits your smile and discuss pricing with you. Typically, insurance companies offer some coverage for traditional bridges, but coverage may vary. If you’re unsure about your insurance plan, our experienced staff can help you understand your benefits! For those without insurance coverage, we offer flexible financing plans that help break your costs into manageable monthly payments.

Additionally, using mini dental implants instead of conventional implants helps make your dental bridge more affordable. Thanks to their sleek design, these cost-effective implants save you both time and money!

Bridges are a reliable method for rebuilding your smile after tooth loss. Replacing missing teeth promptly with a dental bridge can improve or maintain the following:

  • Biting and chewing ability
  • Speech clarity
  • Teeth alignment
  • Smile aesthetics
  • Self-esteem
  • Jawbone health

While healing from the mini dental implant process is quick, we do ask that you be careful when eating certain foods at first.

Avoid extremely hard or sticky foods for a few days while the implants settle. You can brush and floss normally, but take care around the implant sites. Any pain or discomfort can be managed with a cold compress or over-the-counter medication.

Habits like biting your nails, chewing ice, opening packages with your mouth, or grinding your teeth can all affect your implants and natural teeth. If you grind or clench at night, talk to us about a mouth guard to avoid excessive pressure on your teeth.

Regular appointments with your dentist are also crucial. These visits help us catch any problems that might arise and address them before they become larger issues. By following these recommendations, your implant-supported bridges can last for years to come!