Fixed implant bridges are a row of three or more teeth that a dentist permanently attaches to your implant post by either dental cement or a screw.
Benefits of Fixed Implant Bridges
With a bridge, you will not need to have as many posts implanted into your bone. This helps people who struggle to qualify for single-tooth implants due to low bone density. Their bone is thick enough in usable areas, or they need fewer bone graft procedures.
Titanium is a precious metal, so fewer titanium posts or mini-implant screws will reduce the upfront cost per restored tooth. More patients can also qualify for fixed implant bridges thanks to the very-thin-diameter “mini-implants,” which were created to support bridges. Bone stimulation through the implant will help maintain your jaw’s shape and density.
Types of Fixed Implant Bridges
Traditional implants are anchored by posts placed in your bone during surgery. They have two parts, so the tops can be replaced while keeping the longer post in place.
Mini implants are anchored by very thin titanium screws placed in your bone through your gums. These can be manufactured as one or two parts.
Dental Implant-Supported Bridge
In contrast to anchoring the bridge to your surrounding teeth, a fixed implant bridge saves your natural teeth from the wear and tear of supporting the bridge. Instead, your dentist can place dental implants to anchor the bridge.
How Does a Fixed Implant Bridge Work?
Planning
Your dentist will examine you to ensure that your bone density qualifies you for a fixed implant bridge, and which type of implant will be best to use.
Surgery
Two posts or two mini-implants are placed in your jawbone.
Healing and Osseointegration
Your posts will heal over about 6 months, or your mini implants will be ready to anchor your bridge immediately.
Tooth Restoration
Your bridge will be securely attached to your implants, and you will immediately be able to eat and talk like normal again.
Caring For Your Fixed Dental Implant Bridge
It is important to keep your gums around the bridge healthy. Removing food particles with regular flossing and brushing is still important even for restored teeth.
Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges
Implants
Single-tooth dental implants have one root-replacing post per tooth. They have the following benefits:
- Dental implants are very strong, and you can eat whatever you like with them.
- You can use the same oral hygiene practices that you learned as a child.
- Each post stimulates and massages your bone like a natural tooth, keeping your jawline healthy and youthful looking.
- Your gums also remain stimulated and robust, resting against the base of your restored tooth for a natural aesthetic.
- Implants can support temporary teeth during healing. This keeps your smile intact while helping your bone fuse successfully to your post(s).
Bridges
Traditional bridges are a standard within dentistry. Dental bridges using natural teeth for support have no posts, and the bridge is attached to crowns placed over neighboring teeth. Bridges provide the following advantages:
- Using the root of living teeth instead of a metal implant preserves your nerve sensation to pressure, called proprioception.
- This helps you to know how hard you are biting down, and where food is in your mouth.
- It will also take less total time from planning to completion. Restoring teeth with a traditional bridge usually takes less than a month.
- Your dentist can perform the procedure in their dental clinic. No oral surgery is required.
- Bridges cost less than dental implants!
Fixed Bridge Cost vs. Dental Bridge Cost
How do you know what an affordable implant price is? Here is the typical range:
Fixed Implant Bridges: You should expect to pay more than for a regular bridge. The implant supports are made from titanium and require oral surgery before the bridge can be fixed on top. Oral surgery may involve sedation, which costs more than localized anesthesia.
- Note: Fixed implants are intended to be permanent features, and should require less maintenance over the years.
Dental Bridges: These forgo titanium and oral surgery. Depending on the needs of the client, they may use local anesthesia or sedation dentistry to prepare teeth for crowns. The price of your dental bridge could vary depending on how many teeth need to be replaced.
- Note: Dental bridges will need to be replaced regularly over a lifetime, which multiplies their initial cost over the long run.
Both will need to have a dental bridge of crowns customized, fabricated, and installed.
Beautiful Dental Implants In Phoenix
Dental by Design in Phoenix, AZ, offers dental implant services in their one-stop-shop location. Our dental clinic is chock-full of specialists for the whole family. To schedule your free dental implant bridge consultation, give us a call today!
