Implant Supported Bridges in Albuquerque, NM

Rio Grande Oral Surgery provides services for implant supported bridges in Albuquerque, NM.

Call 505-821-2111 to learn more and schedule your appointment. 

Whenever three or more adjacent teeth are missing or in need of replacement, implant-supported bridges are an effective solution. We provide custom-made porcelain bridges that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional for the best possible outcome. 

Traditional bridges are usually held in place by two dental crowns affixed to adjacent teeth. With implant-supported bridges, the prosthetic teeth are anchored by dental implants. This results in a stronger bite because of the increased stability, and it also subjects your natural teeth to less stress, a particular concern when the existing tooth, root, or surrounding bone structure has already been compromised.

Not only can traditional bridges potentially damage the teeth that are being used as abutments, they may also result in the loss of bone density if a number of teeth are missing. When dental implants are placed for the purpose of anchoring a bridge, they also do the job of preventing and even reversing bone loss. Because bone loss can weaken the bite and even lead to the changing of facial structures (a process also known as facial collapse), this makes implant-supported bridges a preferred option for replacing missing teeth.

Before your dental implant procedure, we will meet with you for a consultation to discuss your treatment goals, medical history, and your specific needs. We conduct a thorough exam and take detailed imaging to ensure that you’re a candidate for an implant-supported bridge. While most patients are able to receive dental implants, underlying medical conditions may delay the process and, in cases where bone loss has already occurred in the jaw, bone grafts may be needed prior to surgery.

If you need to have existing teeth removed, the first step is extraction. Once your mouth has healed from this procedure, titanium dental implants will be inserted into the jaw to replace the roots of the two outermost missing teeth. 

Next, we await a process called osseointegration. During this time, the titanium posts used to replace the missing teeth will begin to use with the bone. This process is critical to the success of your implant-supported bridge, because it’s what gives your bridge a stable base of support.

When we see that osseointegration has occurred, we will attach abutments to your dental implants. These small pieces are the anchors which your custom-made bridge will be attached to. Impressions are taken, which are used to design and fabricate the restoration. After we receive your bridge from the dental laboratory, we will attach it to the abutments and the process is complete.

With proper care and maintenance, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. They should never need to be replaced. That said, the bridge affixed to your dental implants may need to be replaced after several years of use. These bridges are more stable than other types, so they usually need to be replaced less often because they are less likely to suffer unexpected damage or breakage.

Call 505-821-2111 to schedule your appointment.