<img src=”http://tingweyyen.wpengine.com//wp-content/uploads/2013/07/draw1b.jpg” alt=”” width=”198″ height=”152″ align=”right” border=”0″ hspace=”10″ vspace=”5″ />The implant is an anchor that is placed in the bone of the missing tooth area to replace the root portion of the tooth. After sufficient time, the bone bonds to the implant allowing for the placement of a crown.When there is a missing tooth it is desirable not to touch the adjacent teeth. This solution is always preferable because the implant crown does not have to depend on the adjacent teeth for support as in the traditional bridge. It also allows for easier hygiene because flossing is possible between all the teeth. Most importantly, the implant helps maintain the bone and gum tissue, whereas the missing tooth ridge area under the conventional bridge usually resorbs away with time leaving an unsightly space between the false tooth and the gum.
Implant bridges area employed when there is a desire to avoid conventional removable partial dentures/bridges which have unsightly clasps (hooks) that, over time, also tend to weaken the teeth they are attached to.Implants, acting as anchors, are placed and allowed to bond to the jawbone, to which fixed bridges can be attached. Usually the adjacent teeth are not involved and stay independent. They can replace anywhere from two missing teeth to an entire jaw, thereby replacing a removable denture with a fixed bridge.