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Tooth- and Implant-Supported Bridge

Tooth and implant-supported bridges replace missing teeth, often when implant space is limited. This design combines teeth and implants for support. Despite good outcomes, they have a slightly poorer prognosis than implant-supported bridges. Indications and design should be carefully evaluated.

Author: Johan Gunne • Professor emeritus • Department of Odontology • Umeå
Reviewed by: Victoria Franke Stenport • Specialist in Oral Prosthodontics • Professor • Department of Oral Prosthodontics/Dental Materials Science • Gothenburg
7 min read
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    This article is based on an original article in Swedish which can be found here

    BACKGROUND

    The simplest form of a tooth- and implant-supported bridge is a 3-unit bridge, which has as end supports a natural tooth and an implant, with a hanging unit in between. The superstructure consists of a framework made of metal alloy covered with ceramic or possibly acrylic or composite materials. The superstructure is screw- or cement-retained to the implant.

    History

    When Professor Brånemark, in the 1950s, discovered during his research on blood circulation in bone tissue that titanium and bone "fuse together," it marked the starting point for a new era in oral prosthetics. Brånemark named the phenomenon "osseointegration." This was followed by intensive work to develop an implant for dental use based on this discovery. Such an implant can be defined as a foreign material installed in the jawbone to serve as an anchor for an oral prosthesis.

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