Reclaim Your Complete Smile with Functional Implant-supported Bridges

Dr. Geomel Brian Bebing and Harun Ayouby at Signature Smiles Dental, Riverside, California, may recommend an implant-supported bridge when missing one or more teeth. The porcelain used in our bridges has a natural look and sensation, and the implant that secures the bridge stimulates your jawbone to enhance functional stability. As a result, you enjoy life with a complete smile without feeling like you have ever lost teeth!

What is an implant-supported bridge?

A dental bridge closes the gap created by one or more lost teeth. A traditional bridge consists of artificial teeth (pontic) attached to the nearby teeth (abutments) using dental crowns. A conventional bridge involves shaving the surrounding teeth to create room for bridge-supporting dental crowns. Although traditional bridges work, most patients are apprehensive about interfering with otherwise healthy teeth.

Implant-supported bridges don’t rely on neighboring teeth. These bridges are supported by dental implants embedded in the jaw. The number of implant posts depends on the size of the bridge.

The procedure for implant-supported bridges

The journey starts with an oral exam with our dental team to review your medical history and oral health. We also use dental X-rays and CT scans to establish if your implants will affect your nerves or sinuses in the treatment area and if your jawbone is healthy enough to support dental implants.

If you’re eligible for dental implants, we prepare you for implant surgery by administering anesthesia to minimize discomfort during treatment. Then, we incise your gums and drill a small hole in your jawbone to insert a titanium screw — you could need one or more implants, depending on the number of teeth being replaced.

After insertion, we place a collar-like device (healing cap) on each implant to ensure your gums heal correctly around the screws. Your implants need about four to six months to heal and fuse with the jawbone through osseointegration. After healing and fusion, your implant becomes firmly anchored in your bone to provide functional support to your bridge.

Once we confirm your implants have healed, we open up your gums, remove the healing cap and replace it with an abutment (connector) that connects the implant to the porcelain bridge. During this appointment, we take your bite impressions which our dental lab will use to custom-make your bridge.

Your abutments take about two weeks to heal. After this period, you’ll return to our office to install your porcelain bridge. After checking the fit and look of your bridge, we will cement it on your teeth to close your gap.

Benefits of porcelain implant bridges

Following are the reasons dentists and patients love implant-supported bridges:

  • Stability when using your teeth
  • Prevent bone loss
  • No alteration to the nearby teeth
  • Prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting into the toothless gap
  • Long-lasting
  • Easy maintenance
  • Look and function like natural teeth

Fill in your mouth gaps with premium porcelain bridges at Signature Smiles Dental by calling (951) 450-0258. Our dental team will help you regain confidence by closing your “gappy” smile with a stable, comfortable, natural-looking teeth replacement.