
What Are Dental Implants?
Abutments
Implant supported bridges are a blend between single tooth implants and bridges. Implants are individual teeth surgically placed within the jaw. A bridge is comprised of crowns that are fused together and anchored in place – usually by surrounding abutment teeth. An implant specialist may recommend an implant supported bridge in lieu of individual implant crowns if there are multiple teeth missing in succession and there is concern that tooth grinding or clenching could put too much pressure on individual teeth. When an implant supported bridge is used, individual implants are still used to replace each individual tooth; but the crowns are fused together for equitable distribution of bite pressure.
While most implant supported bridges are anchored in place by dedicated implants, some are instead anchored by individual implant supported crowns that serve as abutment teeth. In other words, individual teeth are replaced with implants and crowned, and those new prosthetic teeth are used as abutments for a traditional bridge. This type of implant supported bridge is often used when there is only a fractional areas of the gum line.
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