Single implant / Implant-supported bridge
Replacing a single tooth with an implant and its crown, or several adjacent teeth with a bridge on two implants: when each option is chosen.
Dental implants allow us to replace missing teeth.
The implant replaces the root of the lost tooth, and on top of it we place the porcelain crown that replaces the visible part of that tooth. This means that if the teeth being replaced are next to each other, an anchor is not needed for each one: for example, three teeth can be replaced on 2 anchors.
SINGLE IMPLANT
The single implant procedure involves adding a small device that acts as the tooth root, fixed to the jawbone. Once osseointegration is achieved, it is restored with a crown made of various materials, though usually porcelain. In other words, what you see in the mouth is not the implant but the crown or prosthesis itself.
Titanium is used to achieve osseointegration and prevent long-term infection. The advantages of this metal include its biocompatibility, which means the body accepts the implant without difficulty, even in healthy bone. Don't think twice: get in touch with us to find out everything about implant-supported bridges, or about the best option for your particular needs if you want to recover your chewing function.
Dental implants have become the most effective technique for replacing teeth we have lost and recovering chewing function.
IMPLANT-SUPPORTED BRIDGE
When, depending on the case, two or more teeth need replacing, a fixed bridge on implants, or simply an implant-supported bridge, is required. This makes it possible to join 3 crowns into a single piece, which is then fixed to the dental implants placed beforehand.
First the implants are placed; these will hold the dental bridge in place.
Measurements are then taken so the prosthetics laboratory can make the bridge following the anatomy of the patient's mouth and taking into account the position of the implants.
Finally, once the osseointegration period is complete, the bridge is fixed to the implants, either screwed or cemented.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is better, one implant per tooth or a bridge on implants?
When a single tooth is missing, the usual solution is a single implant with its crown. If several adjacent teeth are missing, an implant for each one is often unnecessary: two implants can support a bridge of three or four units. The study determines which is more stable and longer-lasting in your case.
Do the neighbouring teeth have to be prepared?
No, and that is one of its advantages over a conventional bridge. The implant supports itself, so the neighbouring teeth are left intact. With a classic bridge on natural teeth they have to be reduced in order to fit the crowns.
What is a crown on an implant?
It is the visible tooth that is screwed or cemented onto the implant once it has integrated. It is made to measure in colour and shape, usually in zirconia or ceramic, from a scan of your mouth. The implant is the root; the crown, the tooth.
When is a crown placed on an implant?
Once the implant has integrated into the bone, which usually takes a few months depending on the case and the area. Before that, a record is taken —today normally with an intraoral scanner— and the laboratory makes the crown to measure in colour and shape. In some cases a temporary crown is worn during the wait so you are not left without a tooth.
Is it painful to fit a crown on an implant?
No. Fitting the crown is a simple procedure with no surgery: the healing cap is removed and the crown is screwed or cemented in place. You may feel pressure and some discomfort in the gum that day, and it is normal to need a small bite adjustment in the following days.
What should you avoid after having a dental crown fitted?
Avoid very hard or sticky foods for the first few hours, do not bite ice or open things with your teeth, and do not neglect cleaning between the tooth and the gum: the crown margin is exactly where plaque builds up. If you feel you are biting «high» or something rubs, do not put up with it: it is adjusted in five minutes.
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