The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic fixture in California, connecting San Fransisco to Marin County. While the bridge’s towers, connected by cables, are an impressive 746 ft. high, the foundations below do much of the work to keep it stable. Foundations are giant concrete structures embedded into the bedrock below that secure the towers. These foundations act like an anchor, pulling on the tension-filled cables to create rigid support for the bridge. These foundations are placed throughout the bridge to distribute the weight evenly, creating a stable connection between the two lands. An implant bridge works similarly, as we use it to “bridge” the gap between your teeth. Like concrete foundations, dental implants create a stable anchor that evenly distributes the weight of your bridge when you chew. At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we offer implant bridges to fill the gaps between your teeth and complete your smile!
Understanding Traditional Dental Implants
A dental implant is a titanium post we screw into the jawbone to support restorations like an implant bridge! These bridges replace multiple missing teeth in a row, filling a large gap in your smile and providing better function. At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we use two kinds of dental implants to secure restorations.
One is a traditional implant, which consists of multiple pieces and has a diameter of about 5 millimeters. Due to its larger size, we need to use an invasive surgery technique to place this implant, involving incisions and stitches. To create a hole large enough for the implant, we use a series of increasingly large drills that require ample bone. Unfortunately, we need to place every component of a traditional implant separately, which is time-consuming and drastically increases costs!
A traditional implant’s multipiece design also increases the risk of peri-implantitis, an infection caused by bacteria gathering in the seams between components!
While we do use traditional implants if needed, in most cases, we use mini dental implants for their amazing benefits!
The Placement Process of a Mini Implant Bridge
Mini dental implants are a single, solid piece of titanium less than 3 millimeters in diameter. Their single-piece design lowers the risk of infection and makes them a more cost-effective option than traditional implants!
Additionally, their narrow build allows us to use a minimally invasive placement technique that doesn’t require incisions, stitches, or extensive bone.
Because of their sleek design, we can place mini implants in just one appointment! This placement process is much faster than traditional implants, which take many appointments and months to heal. Amazingly, mini dental implants typically heal within a few weeks!
To place a mini dental implant for an implant bridge, we create a pilot hole through the gums and jaw to reach the jawbone. Then, we gently screw the implant in place, where it’s immediately stable enough to support a temporary restoration! Once the implant is secure, we attach a functional but temporary implant bridge, giving your bone time to heal and the implant time to fully integrate—all while ensuring you have a complete smile in the meantime.
When your final restoration arrives, we’ll replace the temporary bridge with your permanent implant bridge. Afterward, you’ll be able to enjoy your complete smile with confidence!
Complete Your Smile With an Implant Bridge!
Like the Golden Gate Bridge, which relies on sturdy foundations to connect two lands, an implant bridge relies on dental implants to “bridge” the gap between your remaining teeth! At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we use mini dental implants to provide a strong base for your implant bridge. With a minimally invasive process and faster healing times, mini dental implants are the ideal replacement option for the gaps in your smile!
Book a complimentary exam and consultation today to begin your journey to a complete and beautiful smile!
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