Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
in Marlton, NJ
 An implant-supported dental bridge in Marlton, NJ replaces three or more missing teeth with a fixed bridge anchored to just two dental implants, rather than placing one implant for every missing tooth.
At Periodontal Health Professionals, we plan and place implant-supported bridges at our Marlton office, with planning, surgery, and follow-up handled by a board-certified periodontist with 30 years of experience in South Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area.
An implant-supported bridge is a practical middle option for patients who are missing several teeth in a row. It uses fewer implants than placing one per tooth, which means less surgery and lower up-front cost. The bridge itself is fixed in place, brushed like natural teeth, and stays in your mouth permanently. It's not removable, and it's distinctly different from an implant-supported denture, which IS removable and covers an entire arch of teeth.
This page covers what's involved in an implant-supported bridge specifically. For broader multi-tooth scenarios, our overview of multiple tooth dental implants compares individual implants per tooth against the bridge approach for two or three missing teeth in a row. For patients missing most or all of their teeth in an arch, full mouth dental implants and implant-supported dentures are the right comparisons. The broader dental implants page covers the practice-wide approach.
On This Page
What Is an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge?
An implant-supported dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces three or more missing teeth using two dental implants as anchors at each end of the gap. The bridge itself spans the gap and includes the replacement teeth (called pontics) suspended between the two implant-supported crowns. The whole thing is bonded onto the implants and stays in your mouth permanently.
The key difference from a traditional bridge is what anchors it. A traditional bridge anchors to the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap, requiring those teeth to be reshaped and capped. An implant-supported bridge anchors to two implants placed where the missing teeth used to be, leaving any neighboring natural teeth completely untouched.
 Implant-Supported Bridge vs. Individual Implants Per Tooth
For patients missing three teeth in a row, there are two common implant approaches: three individual implants (one for each tooth), or two implants supporting a bridge. Both can work; the trade-offs go in opposite directions.
- Three individual implants – each tooth is replaced with its own implant and crown. This gives each tooth full independent function and tends to hold up longer over time. It also requires three implant surgeries and is typically the most expensive up front.
- Two implants supporting a bridge – two implants anchor a bridge that replaces all three teeth as one connected unit. Fewer implants means less surgery, less recovery, and lower cost. The middle tooth (the pontic) doesn't have its own implant, which is the main trade-off.
The CBCT 3D scan at consultation helps determine which approach makes more sense for your specific case. Bone density and width at each potential implant site matter, as does whether you'd benefit from the fewer-surgeries approach of the bridge.
Not the Same as an Implant-Supported Denture
Implant-supported bridges are often confused with implant-supported dentures (also called overdentures). They're very different.
- Implant-supported bridge – fixed in place, brushed like natural teeth, stays in your mouth permanently. Replaces a few missing teeth in a row.
- Implant-supported denture – removable by you for cleaning. Snaps onto implant attachments to stay stable while in use. Replaces an entire arch of teeth.
If you're missing three to five teeth in one part of your mouth, an implant-supported bridge is the likely fit. If you're missing every tooth (or close to it) in an upper or lower arch, an implant-supported denture is the option to compare.
How Many Implants Support the Bridge?
Most implant-supported bridges use two implants, one at each end of the gap. For longer bridges spanning four or five teeth, a third implant in the middle is sometimes added for additional support. For cases where the missing teeth include a back molar with high chewing load, the bridge placement and implant positions may need to be adjusted accordingly.
The number of implants and their exact positions are determined by the CBCT scan and the planning that follows. Bone height, width, density, and the load expected on the bridge dictate the configuration.
Your Implant-Supported Bridge Periodontist in Marlton
Dr. Gail Childers, DMD, plans and places implant-supported bridge cases at our Marlton office. He's a dual board-certified periodontist with 30 years of experience in Southern New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area, a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, a Fellow of the International Team of Implantology (ITI), and the founder of the Southern New Jersey ITI Study Club.
Implant-supported bridges sit at the intersection of two skill sets: precise implant placement (so the two anchor implants are positioned correctly for the bridge to fit) and prosthetic planning (so the bridge itself has the right shape, fit, and bite alignment). Three decades of work on these cases means the planning is done so the final restoration drops onto the implants with no surprises. The same applies to the soft-tissue contour around the implants, which is what makes the bridge look natural rather than obviously prosthetic.
Dr. Childers also teaches at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Periodontology and Periodontal Prosthesis and at his alma mater, Temple University, where the prosthetics-and-periodontics combination is a focus of the program. More on his bio.
The Implant-Supported Bridge Process in Marlton
 Most implant-supported bridge cases run four to seven months from consultation to the final bridge placement. The exact timeline depends on whether bone grafting is needed first.
1. Consultation and CBCT imaging
At your first visit, we examine the area, review your medical and dental history, and take a CBCT 3D scan that maps the bone at the potential implant sites. The CBCT shows bone height, width, and density at both anchor positions, which is what lets us plan the implant placement and the bridge dimensions.
2. Treatment plan with bridge dimensions mapped
We share the scan and explain what the case looks like. Bridge cases involve more planning than single-implant cases because the two implants must be positioned so the bridge between them fits and functions correctly. We walk through the expected timeline, the surgical steps, and the final restoration plan, and you leave with a written treatment overview.
3. Bone grafting if needed
If one or both implant sites need additional bone, the bone graft happens before placement. Grafted sites heal for three to six months before implants are placed. Sites that don't need grafting are placed directly.
4. Implant placement with X-Guide navigation
The placement visit happens at our Marlton office. We use X-Guide computer-guided implant navigation, which takes the CBCT-based treatment plan and overlays it on the live surgical field in real time. For bridge cases, this matters because the two implants must be placed at the precise angle and spacing that allows the bridge to fit on top. The placement visit typically takes 45 to 75 minutes for the two implants. Local anesthesia keeps the area fully numb; patients who prefer to be relaxed beyond local can choose oral sedation.
5. Osseointegration (healing)
Over the next three to six months, your jawbone grows into each titanium post in a process called osseointegration. There are no scheduled appointments during this period unless something feels off. For visible front-tooth bridges, we work with you on a temporary tooth or bridge option during healing.
6. Bridge fabrication and placement
Once both implants have integrated, we attach the abutments and take a digital impression with the TRIOS intraoral scanner. From that scan, the lab fabricates the bridge as one connected unit, with the lab shaping and shading each tooth individually. At the final visit, we bond the bridge onto the implants. The bridge is now functional, and most patients leave the appointment chewing normally on the new teeth within a few hours.
Benefits of an Implant-Supported Bridge
For patients missing three to five teeth in a row, the implant-supported bridge has practical advantages over both individual implants and traditional bridges. Many of the long-term benefits of dental implants apply here, but the implant-supported bridge has a few specific to its design.
- Fewer implants than one-per-tooth – for three missing teeth, two implants instead of three. For four missing teeth, two or three implants instead of four. Less surgery, less healing time, lower up-front cost.
- Healthy neighboring teeth stay intact – unlike a traditional bridge, no reshaping or capping of the natural teeth on either side of the gap. The bridge anchors to implants placed where the missing teeth used to be.
- Bone preservation under the anchor sites – the two implant posts act as artificial roots, slowing the bone resorption that follows tooth loss at the anchor positions. The bone under the pontic teeth does still resorb, since no implant sits there, which is the main trade-off versus individual implants.
- Fixed in place, brushed like natural teeth – no removing the bridge for cleaning. You floss between the bridge and your gums using a floss threader or water flosser, similar to a traditional bridge.
- Precise placement from X-Guide navigation – computer-guided placement based on the CBCT scan is what makes the two anchor implants line up correctly so the bridge fits without adjustment. Off-angle anchor placement creates fit problems that don't show up until restoration day.
- Long-term value over traditional bridges – traditional bridges generally need replacement every 10 to 15 years. The implant posts on an implant-supported bridge can last indefinitely; only the bridge restoration eventually needs replacement.
The improvement patients most often report is the stability when chewing. Unlike a partial denture, the bridge doesn't move. Unlike a traditional bridge, the chewing forces aren't transferred through neighboring natural teeth.
Why Choose Our Marlton Office for Implant-Supported Bridges
Periodontal Health Professionals is a two-location specialty practice focused entirely on periodontics and dental implants. We don't do general restorative dentistry, we don't do cosmetic veneers, we don't do orthodontics. Implant-supported bridge cases sit squarely in the work this practice does every clinical day.
Our periodontist holds board certification in periodontology (Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology) and is a Fellow of the International Team of Implantology. Implant-supported bridge cases require both the surgical precision to place the two anchor implants correctly and the prosthetic awareness to plan the final bridge dimensions. The combination is exactly what board-certified periodontology with implant fellowship credentials trains for.
For surgical planning, we use CBCT 3D imaging and X-Guide computer-guided implant navigation across both office locations, alongside the rest of our advanced technology. For bridge cases that need bone grafting at one or both anchor sites, the in-office PRGF-Endoret system can produce PRP and PRF from your own blood to support graft healing.
Cost and Insurance for Implant-Supported Bridges
The cost of an implant-supported bridge depends on several factors: the number of implants needed (typically two, sometimes three), whether the sites need bone grafting first, the length and material of the bridge, and whether you choose sedation beyond local anesthesia.
Compared to placing one implant per missing tooth, an implant-supported bridge is typically less expensive up front because there are fewer implants involved. Compared to a traditional tooth-supported bridge, the implant-supported option costs more up front but the implant posts themselves don't carry the same long-term risk that natural anchor teeth do.
Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of implant-supported bridge treatment. Coverage usually breaks out by component (diagnostic, surgical, restorative), and the percentage covered varies by plan. We verify your benefits before treatment begins so you know your estimated out-of-pocket portion. More on our insurance and financing options.
Schedule Your Implant-Supported Bridge Consultation
Call us at (856) 702-4340 to set up an implant-supported bridge consultation. We're at 48 South Maple Ave in Marlton, NJ 08053. Marlton office hours are Monday 8am to 5pm, Wednesday 9am to 5pm, and Friday 9am to 1pm. If those days don't work, our Turnersville office covers Tuesday and Thursday with the same doctor and the same records. You can also request an appointment online or reach us through our Contact page with questions before scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an implant-supported bridge the same as an implant-supported denture?
No, they're different restorations for different situations. An implant-supported bridge is fixed (it doesn't come out), uses two implants, and replaces three to five teeth in one part of your mouth. An implant-supported denture is removable, uses four to six implants in an arch, and replaces all teeth in that arch. Bridges are for partial gaps; dentures are for full-arch tooth loss.
How many missing teeth does an implant-supported bridge replace?
Typically three to five teeth in a row. For two missing teeth, individual implants are usually preferred. For three or four teeth, the bridge becomes the more efficient option. For five or more teeth, the case sometimes shifts toward an implant-supported denture or full-arch solution. The CBCT scan at consultation determines which approach makes sense for your specific gap.
Why would I choose a bridge instead of one implant per tooth?
Fewer surgeries, less recovery, lower up-front cost. For three missing teeth in a row, a bridge uses two implants instead of three. For four teeth in a row, the bridge uses two or three implants instead of four. The trade-off is that the middle teeth (the pontics) don't have their own implants, so the bone underneath those positions continues to resorb over time. For patients prioritizing cost efficiency or fewer surgeries, the bridge typically wins. For patients prioritizing the strongest long-term outlook at every position, individual implants typically win.
Will the bridge be removable?
No. You clean it like a traditional bridge using a floss threader, super floss, or a water flosser to get underneath the pontic teeth. The bridge itself is not removed at home, and even your dentist or hygienist won't remove it during a routine cleaning. The implant-supported bridge stays put unless one of the implants or the bridge itself needs work, which is the main feature separating it from an implant-supported denture that you take out daily.
How long does the whole process take?
Four to seven months for most cases. The placement surgery itself is typically 45 to 75 minutes for the two anchor implants. The longest part of the timeline is the three-to-six-month healing period during which the implants integrate with the bone. Cases that need bone grafting first add another three to six months on the front end.
Will I need bone grafting at the anchor sites?
It depends on what the CBCT scan shows at each anchor position. If the missing teeth have been gone for a while, some bone has likely resorbed and a small graft may be needed at one or both sites. If the teeth came out recently and the bone is sound, no graft is needed and the implants can be placed directly. The scan answers this site by site.
Can the bridge replace molars in the back of my mouth?
Yes, and back-of-mouth bridges have one extra consideration: chewing load. Molars carry more force per bite than front teeth, so the anchor implants need to be sized and positioned to handle that load. The CBCT scan at consultation maps the bone available at the back of the jaw, which sometimes runs thinner than at the front. If the bone isn't sufficient for the load, we add bone grafting or adjust the implant configuration.
What happens if one of the anchor implants fails?
Implant failure on a bridge is uncommon but does happen. When it does, we evaluate the cause using our standard failing implants workup, remove and replace the failing implant after a healing period, and refit or replace the bridge as needed. The other anchor implant usually stays in place. The bridge itself sometimes needs adjustment or remaking depending on what the failed implant required. |
