What is an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge?

An implant supported dental bridge is a dental structure used to replace a great number of teeth that have been lost to disease or trauma. It is used on patients who have very few teeth and is considered by most dental professionals to be a much better solution than the old-fashioned denture.

What makes the implant-supported bridge a better solution is its stability, strength and natural looks. These bridges are based on the principle of osseo-integration, which is the fusion of the implant with the bone in the jaw. This means that the implant literally becomes part of the bone, and therefore has the full strength and stability of natural teeth.

In addition, an implant-supported dental bridge is permanently “fixed.” Unlike a denture, there is no need to take it out each night for cleaning. You will just have to brush your teeth as you normally would and visit your dentist once or twice a year. Moreover, there is no risk that such a bridge would shift out of place and need to be taken out or adjusted, like a denture.

As if that weren’t enough, an implant-supported dental bridge looks and feels like your own natural teeth. After a short period of time, you won’t feel the implants or the attached bridge in your mouth and you’ll be able to smile, laugh, and talk in public with self-confidence. The implants and bridge will feel and look like a natural part of your mouth.

Note that the process takes a bit of time (about 3 months), and typically requires two minor dental surgeries. However, the advantages make it worthwhile. It’s almost like getting your natural teeth back again for life, which is the reason why many people want this solution so desperately. Dentists in Costa Rica can often make this solution possible and affordable for people who cannot afford this dental care in their home country.

There are a few conditions that patients need to fulfill before getting an implant-supported dental bridge. Perhaps the most important one is that the patient needs to have enough bone in the jaw in order to achieve osseo-integration. In some cases, a dental graft is needed before implants can be used, (taking bone from another part of the body and implanting it in the jawbone). Also, some health conditions such as diabetes or blood coagulation issues may prevent a person from getting the procedure. Finally, a person needs to quit smoking for some time before and after the procedure, in order to avoid infections.

If you have lost a number of teeth, an implant-supported dental bridge might be the solution for you. Talk to your dentist in order to learn what options are available to you.


If you are interested in an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge in Costa Rica, fill out the “Help me Find a Dentist” form. A participating dental specialist will reply to your needs.