In our last blog, we talked about how we address an individual missing tooth with a dental implant. What if you have lost two or more teeth? To provide a prosthetic that lasts longer than those secured with crowns, we could fix a bridge in placed with advanced implant dentistry. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons discuss implant bridges.
When You Need a Bridge
A dental bridge is meant for minor cases of tooth loss, typically used to replace between one and up to three lost teeth in a row. The prosthetic itself consists of new teeth, which we refer to as pontics, with crowns attached to each end. The dentist would remove structure from the natural teeth on either side of the gap, known as abutment teeth, and take detailed impressions to design the prosthetic. The completed bridge would be placed by attaching the crowns to the abutment teeth and securing the pontics. While effective, this meant losing natural tooth structure from healthy teeth, and the prosthetic itself may need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years as the shape of the jaw ridge gradually changes due to tooth loss.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
But our team can offer a more secure alternative, one that prevents the loss of healthy structure from your smile. Instead of attaching crowns to natural teeth, we use oral surgery and digital technology to plan and guide the placement of dental implant posts. These posts act as new roots, so the crown portion will be attached to them. Since dental implants also stimulate the body into resuming the flow of key nutrients to the portions of the jaw where missing teeth once sat, this prevents the changes to the jaw ridge. Your new prosthetic could last for decades to come!
Ensuring a Lifelike Appearance
We use digital scanning technology and surgical guides to place the dental implants, but these same digital images enable our team to design and craft bridges and other prosthetics that contain strong, lifelike materials. We want the finished product to blend seamlessly with your smile, and provides a durable chewing surface as well. If you have any questions about replacing missing teeth with implant technology, or about how we approach creating a tooth replacement option, then contact our team today. We understand the value of a full and beautiful smile, and we want to help people in our community enjoy their best possible smile.
Do You Have Gaps in Your Smile?
Oral surgery and advanced technology means we can secure implant options. To learn more about treating missing teeth, then schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.