How an Implant Bridge Fills the Gaps in Your Smile [Video Explanation]

A gap in your smile affects more than just your appearance. Over time, missing teeth may affect your ability to eat and speak clearly, as well as the quality of your jawbone. Because natural teeth have roots that stimulate your bone, losing teeth causes your jaw to go unstimulated. Gradually, your jawbone will resorb, or lose mass and volume, altering its shape and compromising its structure. Only by replacing missing teeth with dental implant-supported solutions can you stop bone resorption and fill the gaps in your smile. To replace multiple missing teeth in a row, we often use an implant bridge. This structure completes your smile while stimulating your jaw, providing a reliable solution to tooth loss.

Our Dental Bridge Options

At Aesthetic Dental, we offer a variety of dental bridges. These artificial teeth “bridge” the gap in your smile, restoring your ability to chew and function normally.

Our bridge options include:

• Traditional dental bridges: A traditional bridge is a row of pontics (or artificial teeth) bonded together, with dental crowns at either end. We place these crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap in your smile, effectively anchoring the pontics in place.
• Cantilever bridges: When only one tooth on either side of the gap in your smile is healthy enough to support a dental crown, we may use a cantilever bridge. This restoration uses only one crown and typically only supports a single pontic to replace a single tooth.
• Maryland bridges: Rather than using dental crowns for support, a Maryland bridge uses metal wings that bond to the back of the surrounding teeth. However, these bridges only replace front teeth, as they’re not strong enough to handle the pressure that your back teeth endure when you chew.
• Implant-supported bridges: Unlike other bridge options, implant-supported bridges always replace multiple missing teeth. But instead of using your remaining teeth for support, implant bridges rely on dental implants! We place these titanium posts along your jaw and secure a row of pontics on top, creating a natural-looking tooth replacement.

Of course, which bridge is best for you depends entirely upon your unique case. During your free consultation with us, we will assess your smile and determine which bridge is right for you. In many cases, we use implant bridges for the additional stability and strength they provide.

Breaking Down Implant-Supported Bridges

Implant-supported bridges replace several missing teeth in a row.

Having multiple missing teeth in a row is more common than patients think, as most people lose teeth due to infection or decay. As the infection spreads from one tooth to another, you may lose a few teeth in the same area over time.

Fortunately, an implant bridge helps restore your smile permanently.

At Aesthetic Dental, we use two types of dental implants: Conventional implants and mini dental implants. Which implant you need depends on your available bone structure and your budget.

Conventional dental implants are better for those with a lot of bone left. These larger screws integrate directly with your jawbone, providing a strong, solid foundation for your bridge. In contrast, mini dental implants are a better choice for those with less bone, as they fit in smaller spaces.

A mini implant’s slim diameter is especially useful when replacing front teeth, as there is less room for larger implants. With small-diameter implants, we place multiple titanium posts in a row without worry and secure your bridge on top.

Because implant bridges are anchored to your jawbone, they’re much more secure than traditional dental bridges. These restorations are able to withstand the force of chewing, allowing you to eat the foods you love. Additionally, they look more natural than other options, as the pontics are crafted to resemble your natural teeth.

If you’re struggling with multiple missing teeth, book a free consultation at Aesthetic Dental. There, we will help you find a solution that works for you and your budget.

Fill the Gaps in Your Smile With an Implant Bridge in Southfield, MI

Missing teeth leave gaps in your smile that are difficult to ignore. Over time, you may find chewing and speaking clearly difficult, as you lose jawbone mass and volume. While Aesthetic Dental offers multiple types of dental bridges, we recommend implant bridges for most patients. These titanium implant-supported restorations stop bone loss, restore your smile, and repair your ability to chew confidently. To learn whether you need mini dental implants or conventional implants, book a free consultation with us in Southfield, MI!

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