Services

Implant Bridge Procedure

When several neighboring teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge is an excellent treatment for replacing them.

Although each case will be different, placing an implant-supported bridge generally involves two phases. The first phase is the surgical placement of the implants. The second phase is restoring the implants with the bridge.

The benefits of implants with a bridge

Implants restored with a bridge have several advantages. The implant stops the bone loss that occurs when a tooth is lost, and the bridge prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting into the space. Unlike a traditional bridge, there is no need to reduce the size of neighboring teeth. A bridge retained by implants looks and feels like your natural teeth when you chew and talk.

With proper homecare and regular checkups, your implants can be a long-term solution for a natural-looking smile.

Placing the implants

For the surgical placement of the implants, your mouth is thoroughly numbed. Small openings are made in your gums, and a channel is shaped in the bone to receive each implant.

Next we place the bodies of the implants into the prepared channels. Sometimes covers are placed on the implants, and the gums are stitched closed. This method is called a two stage procedure. In other cases that allow a single stage procedure, extensions are attached to the implants at the time of the surgery.

Healing may take several months as the implants become fused securely to the bone. During this time, we may place a temporary replacement bridge.

Restoring the implants with a bridge

If the first phase included closing the gums over the implant, the second phase starts with surgical re-exposure of the implant. Small incisions are made in your gums, and an extension is placed on each implant to bring it above the gumline. Then we schedule a series of appointments to create your final bridge.

Though some of the steps might be different in your case, they usually include removing a temporary bridge and taking impressions of your mouth. The lab uses the impressions to make an accurate model of your mouth, including the implants. They use the model to create a bridge that fits the implants and your bite.

Depending on the circumstances, we may have you try in the bridge framework, or we have you try in the final bridge. When everything is right, we secure your beautiful new bridge to the implants.

Implants Overdenture Lower Procedure

When all the teeth in an arch are missing, an excellent treatment for replacing them is a denture secured with implants.

Depending on your situation, the denture may snap onto the implants in your jaw, or it may clip to a bar that is attached to the implants. These systems keep the denture secure in your mouth, but allow you to remove it when necessary.

Although each case will be different, placing an implant-retained denture generally involves two phases. The first phase is the surgical placement of the implants. The second phase is fitting the dentures over the implants.

The benefits of a denture retained by implants

Dentures attached to implants have several advantages. The implants slow or stop the loss of jawbone that occurs when teeth are missing. The dentures are stable in the mouth, which makes it more comfortable to talk and chew. And the dentures are removable for easier cleaning and checkups.

With proper homecare and regular checkups, your implant-retained denture can provide a secure and natural-looking smile.

Placing the implants

For the surgical placement of the implants, your mouth is thoroughly numbed. Small openings are made in your gums, and then a channel is shaped in the bone to receive each implant.

Next, we place the bodies of the implants into the prepared channels. Covers are placed on the implants, and the gums are often stitched closed. During the healing period, you might wear a temporary denture, or your own denture may be modified to fit over the implants. Healing may take several months as the implants become fused securely to the bone.

Fitting dentures over the implants

The next phase starts with a series of appointments to create your final denture. Though some of the steps might be different in your case, they generally begin with gently exposing the implants. Then we take impressions and bite registrations of your mouth.

The lab uses these records to make an accurate model of your mouth, including the implants. They use the model to create a final denture that precisely fits the implants and your bite.

After the denture is complete, we place it onto the implants, check the fit and your bite, and you have your beautiful final denture.