Comparing Implant- to Crown-supported Bridges By dlmerulla on January 06, 2015

If you are missing between one and three consecutive teeth, then you owe it to yourself to investigate the possibilities of modern, high-quality dental bridges. Today’s dental bridges are stronger, more stable, and more natural-looking than ever before. Especially when they are attached to dental implants, dental bridges are exceptionally effective in terms of their ability to restore health, beauty, and function to the mouth.

Both implant- and traditional crown-supported dental bridges are available at the practice of Victor R. Siegel, DDS, and both options offer excellent long-term benefits. During consultations at our state-of-the-art office in Rockville, implant vs. crown-supported bridge benefits are discussed in detail with patients who are considering bridges to replace missing teeth. Dr. Siegel explains exactly what patients can expect from either type of bridge in terms of longevity, maintenance, and both oral health and cosmetic benefits so that they can make the most informed and confident decisions regarding their dental care.

Which type of dental bridge is right for you? The best way to find out is to meet with Dr. Siegel for a one-one-one, confidential consultation at your earliest convenience.

About Crown-Supported Dental Bridges

Traditional fixed dental bridges are composed of between one and three replacement teeth held in place by porcelain crowns attached to the natural teeth adjacent to a gap. Once the crowns are in place, the replacement teeth fill the empty space, returning strength and integrity to the bite and making the smile whole once again.

Crown-supported dental bridges provide numerous benefits, including:

They keep the natural teeth adjacent to the gap from drifting out of their optimal position and causing the bite to become faulty.
Because they are manufactured from the best materials available, they are extremely durable, lasting for years with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
The crowns and replacement teeth are custom-crafted to complement surrounding natural teeth in terms of size, shape, color, and even texture to ensure that they blend seamlessly into the smile.

The only notable downside to crown-supported bridges is that their placement requires the filing down of the teeth adjacent to the gap in order to accommodate the width of the crowns.

About Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

Unlike their crown-supported counterparts, implant-supported bridges do require that the natural teeth be altered in any way. Instead, the dental bridge is attached to tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone. Because the human body does not identify titanium as a foreign material, the implant posts actually fuse with the bone, essentially becoming part of the patient’s anatomy. After a period of healing, the bridge is set in place. The patient emerges with a mouth filled with healthy, functional, natural-looking teeth.

For suitable candidates for dental implants, implant-supported dental bridges represent the best possible method of replacing missing teeth. The only potential downside of the treatment is its cost, which is somewhat higher than that of conventional crown-supported bridges. However, the value for money is unsurpassed.