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Implant Crown & Bridge

Restore missing teeth with implant-supported crowns and bridges that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. These permanent solutions provide superior stability and prevent bone loss while delivering exceptional aesthetics.

  • Permanent tooth replacement solutions
  • Preserve jawbone and facial structure
  • Natural-looking, custom-designed results

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Understanding Implant Crowns & Bridges

Implant-supported crowns and bridges are advanced restorative solutions that replace missing teeth using dental implants as anchors. Unlike traditional crowns and bridges that rely on natural teeth for support, these restorations are connected to titanium implant posts that are surgically placed in your jawbone, functioning like tooth roots. An implant crown restores a single missing tooth without affecting adjacent teeth, while an implant bridge replaces multiple adjacent missing teeth using strategically placed implants for support. These restorations provide exceptional stability, prevent bone loss, and deliver the most natural-looking and functioning tooth replacement options available in modern dentistry.

Types of Implant Restorations

We offer several types of implant-supported restorations to meet different needs:

  • Single-Tooth Implant Crowns - Replace individual missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth
  • Implant-Supported Bridges - Replace multiple adjacent missing teeth using implants as anchors
  • Implant-Retained Dentures - Removable dentures that snap onto implants for improved stability
  • Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures - Permanent full-arch restorations attached to multiple implants
  • Same-Day Implant Restorations - Immediate placement of temporary restorations after implant surgery
  • Custom Hybrid Restorations - Combinations of different approaches to address complex cases

Advantages Over Traditional Options

Implant crowns and bridges offer several advantages over traditional tooth replacement methods:

  • Preserve Natural Teeth - No need to reduce adjacent healthy teeth as with traditional bridges
  • Prevent Bone Loss - Implants stimulate and maintain jawbone, preventing deterioration
  • Superior Stability - No movement or slipping during speaking or eating
  • Enhanced Comfort - Feel more like natural teeth with no pressure on gums
  • Improved Oral Health - Easier to clean around than traditional bridges
  • Better Long-Term Value - Greater durability and longevity than traditional options

Candidacy for Implant Crowns & Bridges

Most adults with missing teeth are candidates for implant-supported restorations if they have:

  • Adequate Jawbone Volume - Sufficient bone to support implants (bone grafting options available if needed)
  • Good Oral Health - Healthy gums and any existing dental issues addressed
  • Good General Health - Able to undergo minor oral surgery
  • Commitment to Oral Hygiene - Willing to maintain proper care of implants and restorations
  • Non-Smoker or Willing to Quit - Smoking significantly impacts implant success rates

During your consultation, we'll perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine if implant crowns or bridges are right for you, and discuss any preparatory procedures that might be necessary to ensure successful treatment.

The Implant Crown & Bridge Process

Your journey to a complete, functional, and beautiful smile

1

Comprehensive Consultation

Your journey begins with a thorough evaluation to assess your oral health and determine if you're a candidate for implant-supported restorations. We'll take detailed 3D images to evaluate your bone structure and plan your treatment. We'll discuss your goals, explain your options, and answer all your questions. This initial consultation helps us create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, whether you're missing a single tooth or multiple teeth.

2

Implant Placement

If you don't already have dental implants in place, the first surgical phase involves placing the titanium implant posts into your jawbone. This minor surgical procedure is performed under local anesthesia and sedation options for your comfort. Depending on your case, we may place a healing cap on the implant or close the gum tissue over it. For some patients, bone grafting may be necessary before implant placement to ensure adequate bone volume. After the procedure, you'll receive detailed aftercare instructions to support proper healing.

3

Healing and Osseointegration

After implant placement, a healing period of typically 3-6 months allows the implants to fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This creates a strong, stable foundation for your new teeth. During this time, we may provide temporary restorations so you're never without teeth. You'll have periodic check-ups to monitor your healing progress. The exact healing time varies depending on your overall health, bone quality, and whether bone grafting was performed. Most patients report minimal discomfort during this healing phase.

4

Abutment Placement

Once osseointegration is complete, we'll place abutments on your implants. Abutments are connector pieces that attach your implants to your final crown or bridge. This minor procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and involves making a small incision to expose the implant if it was covered by gum tissue. In some cases, the abutments might be placed at the same time as the implants (immediate loading protocol). After abutment placement, your gums will need about two weeks to heal around these components before the final impressions are taken.

5

Impressions & Design

After your gums have healed around the abutments, we'll take detailed impressions or digital scans of your mouth. These are sent to our dental laboratory where your custom crown or bridge will be crafted. You'll be involved in selecting the shade and characteristics of your restoration to ensure natural-looking results. For implant bridges, we'll also verify the fit of the framework before the final ceramic layer is applied. This attention to detail ensures your restoration will look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.

6

Final Placement & Follow-up Care

When your custom restoration is ready, you'll return to our office for the final placement. We'll carefully check the fit, comfort, appearance, and bite alignment before securing your crown or bridge to the abutments. This appointment is typically quick and comfortable, requiring no anesthesia. We'll provide detailed instructions on caring for your new implant-supported restoration and schedule regular follow-up visits to monitor its condition. With proper care and maintenance, your implant crown or bridge can provide decades of beautiful, functional service.

Benefits of Implant Crowns & Bridges

Discover why implant-supported restorations are the gold standard for tooth replacement

Exceptional Stability

Unlike traditional bridges that rely on adjacent teeth for support, implant-supported restorations are anchored directly in your jawbone, providing unmatched stability and eliminating concerns about slipping or movement.

Preserves Natural Teeth

Traditional bridges require adjacent healthy teeth to be reduced and crowned for support. Implant-supported restorations eliminate this need, preserving your natural tooth structure and long-term oral health.

Prevents Bone Loss

Dental implants stimulate the jawbone similar to natural tooth roots, preventing the bone resorption that typically occurs after tooth loss and maintaining your facial structure and appearance over time.

Superior Aesthetics

Our implant crowns and bridges are custom-crafted from premium materials that mimic the translucency, color, and light reflection of natural teeth, creating a seamless, natural-looking smile.

Restored Function

Implant-supported restorations provide nearly 100% of natural chewing power, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without restrictions or discomfort, unlike removable options.

Long-Term Value

While the initial investment may be higher than other options, implant crowns and bridges often provide better long-term value due to their durability, longevity, and ability to preserve bone and adjacent teeth.

Schedule Your Consultation

We welcome new patients to our Peachtree City prosthodontic practice. Feel free to request an appointment or ask us any questions about our specialized services.

Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8 AM–4 PM

Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Contact Information

Phone: (770) 631-0044

Fax: (770) 631-0045

Email: [email protected]

Our Location

Address:
5000 Shakerag Hill
Peachtree City, GA 30269

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Dental Emergencies

For dental emergencies, please call our office immediately:

(770) 631-0044

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Implant Crown & Bridge FAQs

Common questions about implant-supported crowns and bridges

Traditional crowns cap individual damaged teeth, while traditional bridges replace missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent natural teeth (abutment teeth), which must be reduced and crowned for support. Implant-supported crowns replace single missing teeth with a crown attached to a dental implant, requiring no modification of neighboring teeth. Implant-supported bridges replace multiple adjacent missing teeth using implants as anchors rather than natural teeth. The key differences are: Support structure: Implant restorations are anchored to titanium implants in the jawbone, while traditional options rely on natural teeth. Bone preservation: Implants stimulate and preserve jawbone, preventing bone loss that occurs after tooth loss. Longevity: Implant solutions typically last longer than traditional options. Impact on adjacent teeth: Implant solutions preserve adjacent healthy teeth, while traditional bridges require altering them. Cost and timeline: Implant options generally involve higher initial cost and longer treatment time but often provide better long-term value.
With proper care, dental implants themselves can last a lifetime, with success rates above 95% after 10 years. The crowns and bridges attached to implants typically last 10-15+ years before needing replacement, though many last much longer. Factors affecting longevity include: Oral hygiene practices: Diligent brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings extend lifespan. Materials used: Zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations offer different durability profiles. Bite forces: Patients who grind or clench their teeth may experience faster wear. Implant location: Restorations on back teeth that endure stronger chewing forces may wear faster. General health: Conditions like diabetes or smoking can affect implant health. Regular dental check-ups allow us to monitor your restorations and address any issues before they compromise longevity. When the crown or bridge eventually needs replacement due to normal wear, the underlying implants usually remain intact, making the replacement process simpler than the initial procedure.
Dental insurance coverage for implant crowns and bridges varies significantly between providers and plans. Many dental insurance plans now provide partial coverage for implant procedures, typically covering 50-80% of the restoration (crown or bridge) portion, while coverage for the surgical implant placement is more variable. Some plans may categorize implants as a cosmetic procedure and provide limited or no coverage. We recommend: Verifying your specific benefits before treatment begins. Asking if your plan has waiting periods for major procedures. Checking annual maximums, as implant treatment may exceed these limits. Understanding if your medical insurance might cover portions of the implant surgery in certain circumstances. Our office staff can help you navigate insurance coverage, submit predetermination requests to understand your coverage before treatment, and explore financing options for any out-of-pocket expenses. Many patients find the long-term benefits of implant restorations worth the investment, even with limited insurance coverage.
Caring for implant-supported restorations involves similar but slightly modified oral hygiene practices compared to natural teeth: Brushing: Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, paying special attention to the area where the crown or bridge meets the gumline. Flossing: Use regular floss, floss threaders, or interdental brushes to clean around and under implant crowns and bridges. Special tools: Consider water flossers or specialized implant cleaning tools for hard-to-reach areas. Regular check-ups: Maintain 6-month professional cleanings and examinations to monitor your implants and restorations. Avoid damage: Don't use your teeth as tools or bite extremely hard objects like ice or hard candy. Night guard: If you grind or clench your teeth, wear a custom night guard to protect your restorations. Although implants can't get cavities, they can develop peri-implantitis (similar to gum disease), which can lead to implant failure if not addressed. Excellent oral hygiene and regular professional maintenance are essential for the long-term success of your implant restorations.
Implant crowns and bridges can be made from various materials, each with unique advantages: Zirconia: Extremely strong, metal-free material with excellent aesthetics and biocompatibility. Ideal for both front and back teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): Combines a metal substructure for strength with a porcelain exterior for aesthetics. Very durable but may show a thin metal margin over time. All-ceramic/all-porcelain: Provides the most natural appearance and light transmission, making it ideal for front teeth. Slightly less durable than other options for back teeth. Lithium disilicate (e.max®): Offers excellent aesthetics and good strength, particularly suitable for front teeth and smaller bridges. Full metal (gold or titanium alloys): Extremely durable option for back teeth where aesthetics are less critical. The choice of material depends on the location of the restoration, aesthetic requirements, bite forces, and budget considerations. We'll discuss the advantages of each option and help you select the best material for your specific situation.
The complete process for implant crowns and bridges typically takes 3-9 months from start to finish, though this timeline varies based on individual circumstances. Here's a general timeline: Initial consultation and planning: 1-2 weeks. Preparatory procedures (if needed, such as extractions or bone grafting): Adds 3-6 months to the process. Implant placement surgery: 1-2 hours per implant. Healing and osseointegration period: 3-6 months, during which temporary restorations may be worn. Abutment placement: Minor procedure followed by 2 weeks of gum healing. Final impressions and fabrication of restoration: 2-3 weeks. Final placement of crown or bridge: Single appointment. Factors that can affect this timeline include: Need for bone grafting or other preparatory procedures. Individual healing rates. Number and location of implants. Type of restoration being placed. For some patients, immediate or early loading protocols may be possible, allowing temporary restorations to be placed on implants sooner, but the final restoration is still placed after complete osseointegration.
Unlike natural teeth, implant crowns and bridges cannot be whitened or bleached once they're placed. The materials used for these restorations (porcelain, ceramic, zirconia) do not respond to whitening agents. This has several important implications: If you're considering teeth whitening, you should complete whitening of your natural teeth before your implant restoration is created, so the restoration can be color-matched to your whitened teeth. If your natural teeth stain or darken over time while your implant restoration maintains its original shade, a color discrepancy may develop. To address this, you have two options: whiten your natural teeth again to match the restoration, or replace the restoration to match your current tooth color. To minimize staining and color changes, we recommend: Limiting consumption of staining substances like coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. Using a straw when drinking beverages that could stain. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Having regular professional cleanings.
If your implant crown or bridge feels loose, uncomfortable, or different in any way, contact our office promptly. Do not attempt to adjust or fix it yourself. Possible issues and their solutions include: Loose crown or bridge: This could indicate a loose abutment screw or cement failure. We can usually tighten or re-cement the restoration. Discomfort or pain: Could signal inflammation around the implant (peri-implantitis) or an issue with your bite alignment that needs adjustment. Chipping or damage: Small chips might be repairable, while more significant damage might require replacement of the restoration. Clicking or movement: May indicate a problem with the implant itself or the connection between components. Early intervention is crucial for addressing these issues before they lead to more serious problems. In most cases, problems with implant restorations can be resolved relatively simply when caught early. During your appointment, we'll evaluate the cause of the problem and recommend the appropriate solution to ensure the continued success of your restoration.