Whenever you cruise across a bridge over water, you’re being supported by the same principles that hold a dental bridge. Crowned teeth on either side of a space are called abutments. They support an artificial tooth which is called a pontic. While a bridge lasts for many years, sometimes the strain of missing neighboring teeth can cause the abutment to weaken and lead to further tooth loss.
In many cases, dental implants offer a better alternative that eliminates most of the load-bearing strain you see in traditional abutments. When carefully placed in the bone, an implant mimics the root of a tooth. They bear the load that the natural teeth previously held, sparing neighboring teeth from excessive forces. In some cases, two implants may be used to build a bridge spanning from one solid titanium piece to another.
Planning sometimes becomes more complicated with larger spaces, but Drs. Nimri and Zingalis know how to bring the puzzle pieces together to fit any scenario. Regardless of the scope of your treatment, the steps are similar to deliver a functional and brilliant smile.