Several missing teeth in a row often affect the function of your smile, making it harder to eat certain foods and potentially leading to misalignment. Worse, large gaps in your smile left behind by tooth loss can also make you feel self-conscious, causing you to cover your mouth when you laugh or talk or even to avoid smiling at all. 

Dr. Michael C. Fling and his team in Oklahoma City, OK, can design a custom implant-supported bridge that helps restore both beauty and function to your smile. Implant-supported bridges help preserve your jawbone, keep your surrounding teeth intact, and improve the overall look of your smile. 

What Are Implant-Supported Bridges? 

Implant-supported bridges are a great option for replacing multiple teeth at once. They provide unparalleled support, do not require resizing of your surrounding teeth, and are custom-made using high-quality materials to look just like your natural teeth. While implant-supported crowns can replace a single missing tooth, implant-supported bridges allow you to replace several teeth in a row. 

The Treatment Process

One of the many benefits of choosing our practice for your upcoming implant-supported bridge treatment is that the entire process is managed by Dr. Fling. The doctor started his career as a lab technician and has since received extensive training in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. He is very familiar with the treatment process from start to finish and can guide you through what to expect during the various stages. 

Consultation 

During your consultation at our modern, state-of-the-art office, Dr. Fling will perform a dental exam, examine the condition of your smile, and determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. He will also use advanced imaging to assess the health of your jawbone and make sure it is strong enough to support dental implants. 

Preparation

If the advanced imaging reveals that you have reduced jawbone tissue, you may need to undergo a bone graft or sinus lift a few months before dental implant surgery. 

When choosing an implant-supported bridge instead of a traditional bridge, you can enjoy many benefits including improved aesthetics, longevity, and support.

Surgery

Dr. Fling will oversee your surgery and provide wax models as well as surgical guides for your implant surgeon. This gives the entire team a comprehensive understanding of what the end goals are in order to ensure the most accurate results. During implant surgery, a trusted oral surgeon will place the implants in your jawbone during a one to two-hour surgery. 

Recovery 

Most patients need about three to six months of healing before they are ready to receive their permanent restorations. When you are fully healed, you will come back to our office to receive the attachments, or abutments, that connect your implants to your bridge. 

Impressions 

Once your abutments are attached, we will take detailed impressions of your smile. These impressions will be used to create your implant-supported bridge. 

Permanent Placement 

A few weeks later, you will come back to our office to receive your permanent bridge. Prior to fastening it to your implants, Dr. Fling will test the fit and feel to ensure that the new restoration does not undermine your bite or cause discomfort. 

Benefits of Implant-Supported Bridges 

Patients who choose implant-supported bridges can enjoy numerous benefits. Implant-supported options: 

• Are built to last: While the bridges themselves will eventually need to be replaced, implants are designed to last a lifetime. 
• Support your jawbone: Although traditional bridges are a better option than leaving missing teeth untreated, they lack the connection to your jawbone provided by dental implants. Implant-supported restorations send regenerative signals to your jawbone, keeping it structurally strong and prevent the jawbone atrophy that occurs after tooth loss. 
• Preserve your surrounding teeth: Implant-supported bridges are held in place by implants, so your dentist will not need to reshape healthy existing tooth structures. 
• More natural-looking: Because a traditional bridge does not prevent jawbone recession, the bone and gums around a conventional bridge can recede and leave a visible flaw in your smile. Meanwhile, implant-supported bridges keep your smile feeling and looking healthy. 

Choose a Skilled Doctor Who Combines Science and Art 

Dr. Fling is a highly trained dentist, global educator, and former lab technician who understands restorative dentistry from start to finish and creates personalized treatment plans for every patient. When choosing an implant-supported bridge instead of a traditional bridge, you can enjoy many benefits including improved aesthetics, longevity, and support. To learn more about how an implant-supported bridge can help you, call us at (405) 848-6743 or request an appointment online.