A Stable Way to Replace Several Teeth at Once
Losing more than one tooth in a row changes the math on tooth replacement. A single implant makes sense for a single gap, but when several teeth are missing next to each other, placing an implant under every one isn't always necessary or practical. An implant-supported bridge solves that problem by anchoring several replacement teeth to just two implants, giving you the stability of implant dentistry without the cost or surgery of an implant for every missing tooth. Dr. Dean Glasser and Dr. Renee Glasser build implant-supported bridges for patients throughout Melville, Huntington, Dix Hills, and Plainview.
Curious whether a bridge or individual implants make more sense for your case? Call 631-423-6767 to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Dean Glasser for an Implant-Supported Bridge
A bridge on implants has to get two things right at once: the position of every implant beneath it, and the look of every tooth across the span. Our team's background covers both.
- Implant planning since 1995. Dr. Dean Glasser completed formal implant training at the Misch Implant Institute in 1995 and is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Multi-tooth cases demand careful spacing and angulation of each implant to support the full span, and that planning is where his experience matters most.
- Navigated placement. Implants can be placed with the X-Guide dynamic 3D navigation system, which tracks each implant's position in real time against the digital plan.
- More than 10,000 cosmetic restorations. Dr. Dean Glasser has placed over 10,000 cosmetic restorations since 1985 and has been recognized by colleagues for "Significant Contributions" in cosmetic dentistry, so the visible teeth on your bridge are designed to blend in.
- Inside knowledge of implant systems. He has evaluated dental products for manufacturers and was part of the team that developed an implant manufacturer's surgical protocol.
- Restorative care from two dentists. Dr. Renee Glasser focuses on general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, and our office uses digital imaging and 3D printing to plan and fabricate restorations with precision.
What Is an Implant-Supported Bridge?
An implant-supported bridge is a dental restoration that replaces multiple missing teeth in a row using two or more dental implants as anchors, with a fixed row of replacement teeth attached between them. Unlike a traditional bridge, which relies on your natural teeth on either side of the gap for support and often requires grinding them down, an implant-supported bridge is anchored entirely in the jawbone. That means your healthy natural teeth stay untouched, and because the implants replace the roots beneath the gap, the bridge continues to stimulate the jawbone the way natural teeth would.
How It's Different From Other Options
It helps to see where an implant-supported bridge fits next to the alternatives:
- Traditional bridge. Supported by your natural teeth on either side of the gap, which requires reshaping those healthy teeth to hold crowns. It doesn't address the bone loss that continues underneath the missing teeth.
- Single-tooth implants. Each missing tooth gets its own implant. This is often ideal for one or two isolated gaps but can mean more implants, more healing time, and a higher cost for a longer span of missing teeth.
- Implant-supported bridge. Uses as few as two implants to support a bridge spanning three or more teeth, striking a balance between the stability of individual implants and the efficiency of a traditional bridge.
- Removable partial denture. Less expensive upfront but can shift while eating or speaking, and doesn't stop the bone loss that continues beneath the gap.
Benefits of an Implant-Supported Bridge
- Fewer implants needed. Two implants can support a bridge of three or more teeth, reducing surgical sites compared to replacing every tooth individually.
- No damage to healthy teeth. Since the bridge is anchored in the jawbone rather than on neighboring teeth, those teeth stay untouched.
- Bone preservation. The implants continue to stimulate the jawbone in the area, slowing the bone loss that comes with missing teeth.
- Fixed, not removable. Unlike a partial denture, an implant-supported bridge stays in place permanently and functions like natural teeth.
- Long-term value. With proper care, an implant-supported bridge is built to last many years without the periodic adjustments or replacements that removable options often require.
Are You a Candidate for an Implant-Supported Bridge?
This option tends to work well for patients who:
- Are missing three or more teeth in a row
- Have adequate bone density in the implant sites, or are candidates for a bone graft if not
- Have healthy gums, or are willing to treat any existing gum disease first
- Want a fixed solution rather than a removable one
- Prefer not to have healthy neighboring teeth altered for a traditional bridge
Dr. Dean Glasser evaluates your bone structure and gum health at your consultation using digital imaging, so you'll know exactly where you stand before moving forward.
Implant-Supported Bridge Costs
Because an implant-supported bridge uses two implants to replace three or more teeth, its cost sits between a traditional bridge and individual implants. Nationally, a single dental implant with its crown averages about $4,300, so a three-tooth bridge on two implants commonly falls in the range of about $5,000 to $15,000. Longer spans, extra implants, or bone grafting raise the total, and costs in higher-cost areas like Long Island often fall toward the upper end.
For comparison, a traditional bridge averages about $5,200 nationally, but it relies on grinding down healthy neighboring teeth and does nothing to stop bone loss. Dr. Dean Glasser reviews the specifics of your case at consultation and discusses financing options, so you have a clear picture before committing to treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Replace Several Teeth at Once With Implant-Supported Bridges
An implant-supported bridge gives you a fixed, natural-feeling solution for multiple missing teeth without the wear and tear a traditional bridge places on your healthy teeth. Dr. Dean Glasser and Dr. Renee Glasser have helped patients throughout Melville, Huntington, Dix Hills, and Plainview restore full, confident smiles with this approach.
Call 631-423-6767 to schedule your consultation with our Long Island implant dentist. Let's find the right solution for your smile.
