Expect This from Your Implant Supported Bridge in Carrollton

October 18, 2018

older woman smiling grey hairYou want to replace your missing teeth, and an implant supported bridge in Carrollton is the best option for you. You don’t know what to expect from the procedure, though. You wonder, “How will it feel and look?” Your implant dentist weighs in to answer that question and provide even more valuable information about the process so you can get on the road to being restored!

What is a Dental Bridge?

Typically, a dental bridge is used to restore two or more consecutively missing teeth using an apparatus that consists of a base that holds two or more porcelain crown fixtures. The traditional method of placing a bridge relies on the teeth directly next to the fixture serving as abutments or anchors that will be cemented to it.

The Difference an Implant Makes

Once a dental implant is added to the dental bridge procedure, the quality of the restoration is elevated. That’s because the implant, made from high-grade titanium, is surgically inserted into the underlying bone to act as the missing tooth root. Now the fixture won’t just sit above the gums. Instead, it will recreate the natural stability provided by the roots of your teeth.

Over time, the implant will fuse with your existing bone mass to form a strong foundation for your bridge to attach to. For this procedure, the abutments come in the form of titanium anchors that are attached to your implant and then allow the bridge to be securely affixed to it.

Responses to Common Implant Questions

Here are some responses to common questions patients have about implant supported bridges:

  • The Feel of the Fixture – One of the biggest benefits of having dental implants placed is they allow for a more natural-feeling restoration. By replacing the tooth root, it comes the closest of any other dental procedure to recreating nature.
  • How it Will Look – Just as the implant supported fixture will feel like your normal teeth, it will also be aesthetically-pleasing. Thus, it will fit into your existing smile line as if you were born with it.
  • Functionality – You can also expect your teeth to once again function as normal because of the anchoring of your dental implant. Still, you should use the same caution you would exercise in regard to your natural teeth. Thus, such activities as eating ice and using your teeth as tools should still be avoided.
  • Oral Care – With your implant supported bridge, you’re free to clean your teeth as you normally would, which includes brushing and flossing at least two times a day. Your dentist may recommend a special type of floss, though, that is designed for cleaning around dental bridges.

Living without your teeth doesn’t have to become a permanent reality. With the help of your local dentist, who can expertly place dental implants in Carrollton, you can soon have a happy and fulfilled life!

About the Author

A graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Durga Devarakonda is an experienced, competent and compassionate dentist. She has a vast background with experience treating patients of all ages. Dr. Devarakonda restores patient’s teeth with implant supported bridges at DD Family Dentistry, and she can be reached for more information through her website.