Implant-Supported Bridges in Charlotte, NC
Losing multiple teeth in a row can leave you feeling self-conscious and frustrated. You may find yourself avoiding certain foods, hiding your smile, or struggling with discomfort while eating. If you’re missing several adjacent teeth, you need a solution that restores both function and aesthetics, without compromising the health of your remaining natural teeth.
At Inspired Dentistry of Charlotte, NC, we believe you are a person of great importance and infinite worth. This innovative treatment provides a permanent, stable, and natural-looking restoration that preserves your jawbone and protects your healthy teeth, giving you the confidence to smile, eat, and speak without worry.
What Is an Implant-Supported Bridge?
An implant-supported bridge is a dental prosthetic that replaces multiple consecutive missing teeth using dental implants as anchors. Unlike a traditional bridge, which relies on adjacent natural teeth for support, an implant-supported bridge is secured by titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone.
The bridge consists of:
- Dental Implants: Titanium posts that fuse with your jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots.
- Abutments: Connector pieces that attach to the implants.
- Pontics (Artificial Teeth): The visible replacement teeth that fill the gap, custom-crafted to match your natural smile.
This design mimics the structure of natural teeth, providing unparalleled stability and preventing the bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing.
Who Is a Candidate for an Implant-Supported Bridge?
Not everyone is immediately ready for implant-supported bridges. A thorough evaluation with Dr. Selden will determine if this treatment is right for you.
Ideal candidates typically have:
Sufficient Jawbone Density
Good Overall Oral Health
You should be free from active gum disease (periodontitis) and untreated tooth decay. These conditions must be managed before proceeding with implant surgery.
A Commitment to Oral Hygiene
A Desire for a Permanent Solution
If you want a long-lasting, stable tooth replacement option that preserves your natural teeth and jawbone, you may be an excellent candidate.
You may be a candidate if you:
- Are missing two or more adjacent teeth.
- Want to avoid altering healthy adjacent teeth with crown preparations.
- Have sufficient bone density or are willing to undergo bone grafting.
- Are looking for a solution that restores full chewing function and prevents bone loss.
The Implant-Supported Bridge Procedure
Dr. Selden and our team guide you through every step of the implant process, ensuring your comfort and safety with sedation options available for anxiety-free care.
- Consultation & Planning: Your journey begins with a detailed examination, including advanced 3D CBCT imaging to assess your bone density, nerve pathways, and sinus location. Dr. Selden develops a precise surgical plan tailored to your unique anatomy.
- Implant Placement Surgery: The titanium implants are surgically placed into your jawbone at precise locations to support the bridge. This is performed under local anesthesia with sedation options available for your comfort.
- Healing and Osseointegration: Over the next 4-6 months, the implants fuse with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This creates a stable, permanent foundation for your new bridge.
- Temporary Restoration: If needed, a temporary bridge may be placed to maintain aesthetics and function during the healing period.
- Bridge Placement: Once healing is complete, we place the permanent abutments and attach your custom-crafted implant-supported bridge. Your new teeth will be color-matched to blend seamlessly with your smile.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Bridges
Choosing an implant-supported bridge offers significant advantages over traditional tooth replacement options.
- Preserve Healthy Teeth: Traditional bridges require grinding down adjacent natural teeth to support crowns. Implant-supported bridges leave your healthy teeth untouched, preserving your natural tooth structure.
- Prevent Bone Loss: Dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth, stimulating the jawbone and preventing the bone resorption that occurs when teeth are missing. Traditional bridges do not stimulate bone, leading to gradual bone loss and changes in facial structure over time.5
- Superior Stability and Comfort: Implant-supported bridges are permanently fixed and will not slip, shift, or click like removable dentures. You can eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence.
- Natural Appearance: The bridge is custom-crafted to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, creating a beautiful, seamless smile.
- Long-Lasting Durability: Implant-supported bridges are incredibly durable and can last for decades, often a lifetime with proper care, making them a cost-effective investment compared to traditional bridges that typically need replacement every 8-10 years.
Cost of Implant-Supported Bridges in Charlotte, NC
An implant-supported bridge represents a significant investment in your long-term oral health, confidence, and quality of life. Costs vary based on the number of implants needed, the materials used, and the complexity of your case.
- Average Cost Range: Implant-supported bridges typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more.
- Factors Affecting Cost:
- Number of implants required to support the bridge.
- Need for bone grafting or other preparatory procedures.
- Materials used (porcelain, zirconia, etc.).
- Complexity of your specific case.
- Insurance & Financing: Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for implant-supported bridges, typically covering a percentage of the cost up to your annual maximum. Our financial coordinator will help you maximize your benefits and explore flexible financing options through CareCredit and Sunbit to make your treatment affordable.
Why Choose Inspired Dentistry of Charlotte, NC for Your Implant-Supported Bridge?
Your implant-supported bridge requires the expertise of a highly skilled restorative dentist. Dr. Selden is uniquely qualified to deliver exceptional, lasting results.
- Master Restorative Expertise: Dr. John S. Selden is a Master Restorative Dentist who has been consistently voted a Top Charlotte Area Dentist by Charlotte, NC, Magazine for over 17 years. His deep understanding of occlusion, function, and aesthetics ensures your bridge is not just beautiful but fully functional.
- Advanced Diagnostic Technology: We utilize state-of-the-art 3D CBCT imaging for precise implant placement and surgical planning, ensuring optimal outcomes with minimal risk.
- Comprehensive, Personalized Care: We view your restoration as part of your overall health. Dr. Selden collaborates with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals.
- A Calming, Patient-Centered Environment: Our office is designed to be a sanctuary of comfort, surrounded by the natural beauty of light, stone, wood, and water. We offer sedation dentistry to ensure your experience is anxiety-free.
- A Trusted, Award-Winning Practice: With a reputation built on excellence, compassion, and community service, Inspired Dentistry of Charlotte is the trusted choice for advanced restorative dental care.
5 Star Patient Rating
What Our Patients Have to Say
“I have been seeing Dr. Selden for 5 years now, and the service in the entire Inspired Dentistry office is top notch. All staff are amazing, friendly, attentive, and professional”
“The experience was great! From intake to X-ray to consult. Very friendly staff, extremely professional. Gave me all my options and laid out the treatment plan. I would certainly recommend anyone looking for dentistry service to strongly consider them"
"I have never received such top tier customer service upon entering a dental office! The staff are genuinely warm and inviting and the ambiance matches the energy. The dentist is also very warm and professional . It was an overall amazing experience"
Meet Your Dental Bonding Dentist – Dr. John Selden
Dr. John S. Selden is a distinguished Master Restorative Dentist who has been transforming smiles in Charlotte since founding Inspired Dentistry of Charlotte in 1999. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Dr. Selden has completed advanced training at The Dawson Academy and the Schuster Center for Professional Development, mastering the art of full-mouth restoration and implant dentistry.
Dr. Selden is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and serves as Vice Chair of the North Carolina Dental Foundation. His expertise is so respected that fellow dentists consult him on complex restorative cases.
Dr. Selden, along with his wife Dr. Kymberly Selden, leads a practice committed to clinical excellence, patient comfort, and community service. His team has established the “Selden Family Merit Scholarship” to support minority dental students and provides free dental care to those in need through partnerships with Missions of Mercy and the Dental Lifeline Network.
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FAQs
How long do implant-supported bridges last?
With proper care and regular dental checkups, implant-supported bridges can last for decades, often a lifetime. The implants fuse permanently with your jawbone, providing a long-term, durable solution.
Is the procedure painful?
The implant placement surgery is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Some discomfort, swelling, or soreness is normal after surgery but typically resolves within a week and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
How long does the entire process take?
The complete process typically takes 4-6 months, allowing time for osseointegration (the fusion of implants with the jawbone). If bone grafting is needed, the process may take longer.
What is the difference between a traditional bridge and an implant-supported bridge?
A traditional bridge relies on adjacent natural teeth for support, requiring them to be ground down to accommodate crowns. An implant-supported bridge uses titanium posts placed in the jawbone, preserving your healthy teeth, preventing bone loss, and providing superior stability.
Can anyone get an implant-supported bridge?
Most people are candidates, but sufficient jawbone density and good oral health are required. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, or significant bone loss may need preparatory treatments before implants can be placed.
Ready to restore your smile with a permanent, natural-looking solution?
Schedule your implant consultation with Dr. Selden at Inspired Dentistry of Charlotte today. Call us at (980) 595-8245 or book online now to begin your journey to a confident, complete smile.
