Implant-Supported Bridges
If you are missing two or more consecutive teeth, an implant-supported bridge can restore the function and appearance of your smile. At our Long Island, NY, practice, Dr. Joseph Fusco can coordinate with local oral surgeons to place your dental implants. He can then provide a durable and natural-looking dental bridge to restore your comfort, health, and confidence.
Explore Your Candidacy
If you are interested in an implant-supported bridge, Dr. Fusco will first need to determine if you qualify for dental implants. You need to be free of serious oral health concerns, such as unchecked tooth decay or gum disease. Smoking can also compromise your candidacy for dental implants because it interferes with the fusion of the implants to the bone tissue. In addition, you need sufficient bone tissue in your jaw to provide a stable base for your implants. The long-term absence of tooth roots will result in some bone recession in the jaw, but this tissue can be replaced through a bone grafting procedure.
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime and continue to provide stability for your bridge for years to come.
Restoring Your Smile With Implants
For an implant-supported bridge, you will first need to undergo dental implant placement. Our practice partners with several reputable oral surgeons. The number of posts you need will depend on the size of your bridge. During the procedure, your surgeon will embed one or more posts into your jawbone.
For most patients, it takes three to six months for implants to completely fuse to the surrounding tissue. This process is very important to create a stable base for your bridge. Our dentist can monitor your progress throughout the recovery period and determine when your implants are ready to support a bridge.
When your jaw is fully healed, he will take impressions of your smile. He can then design a bridge that fits precisely within your smile, and attach it to the implant posts for complete restoration.
Why Choose an Implant-Supported Bridge?
Traditional bridges are anchored in place by dental crowns attached to the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. In order to place the crown, Dr. Fusco must alter the structure of the supporting teeth by removing healthy tissue. Meanwhile, bone recession will likely occur beneath the bridge since there is no root to stimulate the jaw.
Implant-supported dentures do not require any alteration to healthy tissue. The implant posts provide a secure base for the bridge and stimulate your jaw to prevent bone atrophy.
Speak to Us Today
For the right candidates, an implant-supported bridge is an outstanding long-term solution for tooth loss. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime and continue to provide stability for your bridge for years to come. If you are suffering due to missing teeth, contact our office online or call (516) 766-6767 to speak to a member of our team today.
