Dental Implants for Supporting Dental Bridges

    ARLINGTON, VA, March 30, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dental implants can be utilized several ways to replace missing teeth. A single implant can be used to replace a single tooth. If you are missing several teeth, or even all of your teeth, dentures or dental bridges can be attached to dental implants. Compared to tooth-supported bridges and gum-supported dentures, using dental implants to support these restorations provides optimum stability, comfort and function.

What is an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge?

If you are missing all of your teeth or several teeth, your dentist may recommend a full or partial dental bridge supported by dental implants. Other dental bridges are supported by other teeth, whereas this kind is supported by dental implants.

Without implant dentistry, the bridge would consist of an artificial tooth connected on either side to a tooth crown. The tooth crowns would then be placed over filed down natural teeth, with the artificial tooth filling the space in between.

When dental implants are used to support a dental bridge, the tooth crowns are placed on top of dental implants instead of natural teeth. Several dental implants will be used, although there may not be a dental implant for every missing tooth, depending on your unique case.

Advantages of Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

Compared to tooth-supported dental bridges, implant-supported bridges have several advantages, including:

- Promotes healthy bone beneath your teeth
- Fixed restoration does not carry the hassle of removal
- Provides optimum stability

Underneath your teeth is a ridge of bone. The presence of tooth roots promotes the health and density of this bone. When you lose a tooth, bone in the area can begin to dissolve. If left untreated, the deteriorating bone can lead to facial collapse - the shrunken, reduced appearance of the lower third of the face. Dental implants act as a replacement tooth root, preventing bone deterioration resulting from missing teeth. Dental bridges without dental implants do not replace the tooth root.

Implant-supported bridges are not removable, so the dental bridge should not be loose or slip around when you eat or speak. Once the healing and recovery period is complete, the dental implant should not feel any differently than your other teeth. Dental implants are also a long-term tooth replacement and may even last a lifetime. Tooth-supported bridges require replacement every several years.

If you live in Northern Virginia, including Tysons Corner, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Washington DC and would like to learn more about dental implants, please visit the website of experienced dentist Dr. Michael Chung at Softouch Dental Care.

Website: http://www.softouchdentalcare.com

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