Implant-Supported Bridges in Murrieta
For patients who have lost more than one tooth, an implant-supported bridge offers a secure & permanent solution.
Replacing missing or rotten teeth is essential to keeping your mouth healthy in the long run. A missing tooth can cause more trouble than just an unsightly gap in your smile. Tooth loss can cause your remaining teeth to shift around the gap, changing the alignment of your smile & even causing changes in your facial aesthetics.
Having missing teeth can also affect your ability to chew nutritious foods. Other tooth replacement options, such as removable partial dentures, aren’t as stable as implant-supported bridges. An implant bridge can return the majority of your chewing function so you can eat what you want again.
What Is An Implant-Supported Bridge?
While a standard dental bridge can prevent most tooth-loss-related problems, an implant-supported bridge has several advantages. Traditional bridges rely on adjacent teeth for support. These nominally healthy teeth need to be reshaped before the bridge is secured in place using dental cement. Using implants to secure the bridge instead means that no healthy teeth need to be ground down in order to replace a missing tooth.
How Many Implants Are Used?
An implant-supported bridge is a replacement for several teeth that is secured permanently to dental implants. The number of implants used to secure the bridge varies depending on the patient’s situation, but a common configuration is two implants supporting three teeth: two “cap” teeth on either end bridged by another tooth in the middle.
Dental implants can prevent the continuation of bone loss that occurs when a tooth is removed. When you lose a tooth, the bone in your jaw no longer gets the sensations of pressure from the force of your bite that tell the bone to regenerate. As a result, your body starts to resorb the bone & your jawbone shrinks in that area. With an implant-supported bridge, the implants help your bone feel the force of your bite so your bone stays stimulated. Bone resorption may still occur under the middle of the bridge, but it will be less problematic than bone loss associated with having a removable bridge or no bridge at all.
A fixed implant-supported bridge is a more cost-effective solution than individually replacing each missing tooth with its own implant & crown. However, it is more costly than most removable solutions because of the implant surgery involved. Which treatment you choose to replace missing teeth depends on your individual health & financial situation. We are always happy to discuss all the options with you.
Procedure Overview
Getting an implant-supported bridge takes several appointments.
- The first step is the placement of dental implants.
- After initial placement, it usually takes several months for the bone & gums around the implants to heal.
- Once implant sites are healed, the Murrieta dentist will take impressions of your mouth in order to make a mold.
- Using the resulting model of your teeth, the lab technician will create your custom crown, color matched to your existing teeth.
- While the lab technician works on the final bridge, you may be fitted with a temporary bridge.
- Once the final bridge arrives the dentist will either screw or cement it in place on the implants.
Meet Your Murrieta Dentist
Daniel B. Pulsipher, DDS – Daniel B. Pulsipher, DDS, is a graduate of the University of Loma Linda School of Dentistry. He has also received extensive training in cosmetic dentistry, rotary endodontics and removable prosthodontics (dentures). Dr. Pulsipher is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, California Dental Association, International Association for Orthodontics & the Tri-County Dental Society.
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We love your insurance and respect your budget and busy schedule. There are little to no out-of-pocket costs for most insured patients on cleanings, exams and x-rays.
0% financing is available on approved credit. While most insured families receive the majority of preventive services for FREE, we offer many different payment options, including CareCredit, so uninsured patients can still receive the dental care they need in a manner that fits their budget.
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Frequently asked questions
What is an implant-supported bridge, and how is it different from a regular bridge?
Your implant-supported bridge replaces multiple missing teeth using dental implants as anchors instead of natural teeth. Implant-supported bridges avoid placing stress on surrounding teeth and provides a stronger, more permanent solution.
How many implants are needed for an implant-supported bridge?
Typically two implants support a bridge that replaces three or more teeth. Springs Dental determines the exact number of implants needed based on your bone health and bite.
Is the implant-supported bridge procedure painful?
Your dental implant procedure is not painful! Your implants are done under local anesthesia or sedation, so you’ll feel little to no pain during the process. After you’ve received your implants you will have mild soreness, which is normal and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
How long do implant-supported bridges last?
Your dental implants can last a lifetime, and your implant-supported bridge lasts for 10–15 years or more.
What are the benefits of an implant-supported bridge over a traditional bridge or denture?
Implant-supported bridges have several benefits over traditional bridges and dentures:
- No need to shave down healthy teeth
- Better bone preservation (implants prevent bone loss)
- Greater stability and chewing power
- More natural look and feel
- Longer lifespan