Which Type is Right for Me?
You will meet with one of our doctors to determine which type of dental bridge is right for you. Dr. Crawford or Dr. Leishman will evaluate the state of your teeth, gums, and jaw. There are certain requirements you must meet to qualify for each type of bridge.
To qualify for a traditional dental bridge, the teeth adjacent to the gap must be healthy and structurally sound. This means there are no signs of decay or damage to either of the teeth, which could compromise their ability to support your bridge.
The requirements for an implant-supported bridge are more stringent. Dental implants require a sufficient amount of bone tissue for adequate support. Bone loss begins immediately after losing a tooth, and up to 25% of your bone tissue is lost within the first year. If you lack adequate bone tissue, you can undergo a bone graft. This will rebuild the bone tissue so you can receive dental implants. In general, the best candidates for dental implants are non-smokers. Nicotine can inhibit the body’s ability to heal, which can severely compromise the likelihood of a successful implant surgery. If you smoke and would like to receive implants, your dentist will advise quitting the habit for several months before surgery and ideally ceasing smoking permanently.