Implant-Supported Bridge
Implant Bridge in Chicago & Bourbonnais, IL
Replace several missing teeth in a row with one fixed bridge that anchors in your jawbone and leaves your healthy teeth alone.
Missing Multiple Teeth (Implant Bridge) is available at these locations:
- FICOIFellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists
- LVIGraduate, Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
- 20+Years caring for patients
- 10,000+Implants placed
- 2Offices, Chicago & Bourbonnais
A Fixed Bridge on Its Own Implants
Losing several teeth in a row calls for more than a patch. An implant-supported bridge is one of the most effective ways to bring back your smile, your bite, and your confidence at the same time. Rather than leaning on the adjacent teeth the way a traditional bridge does, an implant bridge anchors straight into the jawbone, preserving bone, protecting the teeth around it, and delivering a permanent, natural-looking result. Dr. Raffi builds a custom treatment plan at Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry to replace your missing teeth and restore full function.
- What it is
- Instead of resting on natural teeth, this bridge is anchored by two or more dental implants. It bridges a gap of three or more missing teeth in a row and stays fixed in place.
- Who it's for
- It works well for patients who have lost several teeth in a row and want something stable and permanent. The implants preserve bone and let the healthy teeth on either side of the gap stay as they are.
- How we help
- We guide implant placement with precise digital imaging, craft the bridge to match your natural teeth, and shape the whole plan around your specific case.
Why Replace Missing Teeth Now?
Without tooth roots, the jawbone begins to resorb and shrink rapidly, and that bone loss can lead to a sunken, aged look around the jaw. Surrounding teeth move into the open spaces, causing misalignment and bite problems, while the teeth that compensate bear extra stress and may also be lost. Chewing a full range of foods gets harder. The sooner you act, the simpler and more affordable treatment tends to be.
Implant Bridge vs. Traditional Bridge
Both fill a row of missing teeth with connected porcelain crowns. What differs is the support underneath, and the cost of that support to the teeth beside the gap.
| Compared on | Implant Bridge | Traditional Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Two or more titanium implants in the jawbone | Crowns on the natural teeth beside the gap |
| Neighboring teeth | No healthy teeth filed down or crowned | Filed down to serve as anchors |
| Jawbone | Stimulated by the implants, helping prevent bone loss | Nothing replaces the missing roots |
| Over the years | Stands on its own implants | Leans on its anchor teeth and can strain them |
| Lifespan | With proper care, can last decades | Tends not to last as long as an implant bridge |
Because it is permanently fixed and anchored directly to the jawbone, an implant bridge stays put, and you can bite and chew most of the foods you love with confidence. Its custom-crafted porcelain crowns are made to closely match your existing teeth.
The Treatment Process, Step by Step
- ConsultationDr. Raffi evaluates your teeth and jawbone with digital X-rays and CT scans and discusses your goals and options.
- Treatment planYour plan is built around the number of missing teeth and the bone available, with the timeline, the cost, and what to expect at each stage.
- Implant placementTitanium posts are placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, in a comfortable office setting.
- HealingThe implants fuse with the bone over 3–6 months (osseointegration), with progress checks along the way.
- Bridge fabricationCustom porcelain crowns are designed and connected to form your bridge.
- Final placementThe bridge is permanently attached to the implants, completing your new teeth.
Before & After Surgery
If significant bone loss has occurred, bone grafting may be needed before implant placement.
Follow all post-surgical instructions carefully to support healing, and stick to soft foods for the first few days. Brush and floss around the implant bridge daily, and attend all scheduled follow-up appointments. With proper care, your implant bridge can last for many years.
See If Implants Are Right for You
Not having enough bone today doesn't rule out an implant bridge. Dr. Raffi measures your bone at the consultation and explains your options.
Dr. Raffi & the Technology Behind Your Plan
Dr. Raffi Leblebijian
DDS, FICOI · General & Implant Dentist
Dr. Raffi has practiced family and cosmetic dentistry in the Chicago area for more than 20 years, and he places dental implants at both our Chicago and Bourbonnais offices. His fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists reflects advanced training and experience in implant dentistry, and his postgraduate study at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies covered cosmetic and comprehensive care.
Degrees
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, Loyola University Dental School
- Bachelor of Science, Loyola University Chicago
Credentials & Training
- Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists
- Graduate, Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
- Member, American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society and Chicago Dental Society
Planned in 3D at Both Offices
An implant plan starts with imaging. Both offices use the same two systems to measure your bone and capture your teeth before treatment begins.
In one scan, the KODAK 8100 builds a 3D picture of your teeth, jaw and supporting bone, so Dr. Raffi can see how much bone is available and plan where each implant goes.
A few minutes of digital scanning replaces putty trays and gives a detailed 3D model of your teeth and gums for planning your new teeth.
- Same-Day CEREC CrownsChicago Office
Reviews of Our Practice
“I’ve been going to Dr. Raffi for 20+ years now and never have had a bad experience! Both him and his staff value your opinion and always provide excellent education! They definitely have put me back on track to taking care of my teeth.”
“Met Dr. Raffi for the first time today. Very nice and informative. The staff was fabulous, the office is stylish, the exam chair comfortable. I'm really looking forward to working with Dr. Raffi and everyone there.”
“HIGHLY recommend! My siblings and I have been going here for about 10 years and we have never had any sort of problem! Dr. Jones, Dr. Raffi and their staff are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in the medical industry.”
“Dr. Raffis staff is very kind and respectful. My two girls and I had appointments all at the same time, and the staff did wonderfully at making sure we each understood what we needed to do. I'm happy we were referred to this office.”
Paying for Your Treatment
You receive a clear estimate at your consultation, and there are several ways to spread the cost over time.
Monthly Payments with CareCredit
CareCredit® offers 0% financing and monthly payment options for co-payments, deductibles, treatment and procedures your insurance leaves out.
Flexible Payments with Cherry
Break treatment into flexible monthly payments. Checking your rate takes just minutes and has no impact on your credit score.
Apply with CherryIn-House Discount Plan
No dental insurance or dental benefits? Uninsured patients can join our new in-house discount plan. Call our office for the details.
We take part in most dental insurance plans and file your claim on your behalf as a courtesy.
Learn More About FinancingDiscuss Your Missing Teeth
Bring your questions about an implant bridge to a consultation at our Chicago or Bourbonnais office.
Frequently Asked Questions
A span of three to four missing teeth can often be supported by just two implants placed at either end, with the bridge suspended between them. Longer gaps may call for one or more additional implants to spread the chewing load evenly.
The right number comes down to your jawbone density, where the gap sits, and how many teeth are being replaced. Dr. Raffi determines the ideal count after reviewing your imaging so your implant bridge is fully supported.
For most patients, yes. An implant bridge stands on its own implants, so the healthy teeth beside the gap are never filed down to serve as anchors. It also keeps the jawbone stimulated, which helps prevent the bone loss that follows missing teeth.
A traditional bridge leans on those neighboring teeth for support and can strain them over the years. Implant bridges also tend to last considerably longer, which makes them a sound long-term investment.
From the first implant placement to the final bridge, treatment generally runs four to eight months. The bulk of that time is healing, allowing the implants to fuse securely with the jawbone before the bridge is attached.
If bone grafting is required to rebuild the site first, add roughly three to six months for the graft to mature before the implants go in. Dr. Raffi gives you a stage-by-stage timeline at your consultation.
Not having enough bone today does not mean an implant bridge is off the table. During your consultation Dr. Raffi measures your bone density, and if it falls short, bone grafting can rebuild the ridge to create a solid foundation.
Grafting is a common, well-established step, and once the new bone has matured the implants can be placed as planned. It simply adds a stage to the timeline rather than ruling out treatment.
The cost of an implant bridge varies with the number of implants involved, whether bone grafting is needed, and how complex the bridge itself is. A short span supported by two implants is a different investment than a longer, multi-implant restoration.
At our Chicago and Bourbonnais, IL offices, we walk you through a detailed estimate during your consultation and offer flexible financing options to keep treatment affordable.
Caring for an implant bridge is much like caring for natural teeth. Brush twice a day, floss daily including underneath the bridge (a floss threader or water flosser makes this easy), and keep up with your regular checkups and cleanings.
That routine keeps the gum tissue and the implants beneath the bridge healthy. With consistent maintenance, an implant bridge can last for decades.
Bring Back Your Smile & Your Confidence
Request your implant bridge consultation at our Chicago or Bourbonnais office.
Visit Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry
Chicago Office
6215 W Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
Bourbonnais Office
876 N Convent St
Bourbonnais, IL 60914