What are implant-supported crowns and bridges?
Implant-supported crowns and bridges are permanent restorations that attach securely to dental implants — small titanium posts placed in the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots.
They’re the closest thing modern dentistry offers to natural teeth.
- Implant-supported crowns replace a single missing tooth.
- Implant-supported bridges replace several missing teeth in a row.
Each restoration is custom-crafted to match your smile, fit your bite, and feel completely natural.
Why choose implant-supported restorations
Traditional crowns and bridges depend on surrounding teeth for support, which sometimes means reshaping healthy enamel.
Implant-supported options change that by standing independently — strong, secure, and natural-feeling.
Here’s what makes them so effective:
Permanent stability – They won’t slip or shift.
Protect bone health – Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss that happens after tooth loss.
Preserve natural teeth – No need to grind down neighboring teeth.
Natural look and feel – Chew, smile, and speak as you did before.
Longevity – With proper care, implants can last decades — often a lifetime.
When to consider implant-supported crowns or bridges
We often recommend them when:
- You’ve lost one or several teeth and want a fixed, long-term solution.
- You don’t want to wear removable dentures.
- You want to prevent jawbone shrinkage after an extraction.
- You’ve been told a traditional bridge isn’t an ideal fit.
- You want to restore full bite function and aesthetics.
In San Francisco, we often see active professionals who want restorations that feel natural, last long, and require minimal maintenance implants deliver exactly that.
The process at Anchor Dental
1. Consultation & imaging
We begin with a full examination, including 3D digital scans and X-rays, to evaluate bone density and gum health. Dr. Esra Salihoglu Yener and our doctors will discuss your treatment options clearly — including timelines, materials, and costs.
2. Implant placement
If the supporting implant(s) aren’t already in place, we’ll coordinate with our trusted oral surgeon or periodontist for surgical placement. The implant integrates with your bone over several months, creating a secure foundation.
3. Custom restoration design
Once healed, we take digital impressions to design your custom crown or bridge. We use high-quality materials like zirconia, porcelain, or E-max for strength and natural beauty.
4. Final attachment
The final crown or bridge is secured to the implant(s) using either a screw-retained or cement-retained method. We adjust the bite and polish it for comfort and symmetry.
From that point forward, you care for it like a natural tooth brushing, flossing, and visiting us for regular cleanings.
Implant-supported crowns
An implant-supported crown replaces a single missing tooth without affecting the neighboring ones.
We match it to your enamel shade and shape so precisely that even you might forget which one it is.
They’re ideal if you’ve lost a single tooth due to:
- Trauma
- Decay
- Failed root canal
- Congenital absence
One West Portal patient, a graphic designer, lost a front tooth in a biking accident. After an implant crown, she said, “It’s like nothing ever happened I smile normally again.”
Implant-supported bridges
When two or more teeth are missing in a row, an implant-supported bridge can replace them efficiently without touching nearby healthy teeth.
Instead of using natural teeth as anchors, the bridge attaches to two or more implants. This keeps surrounding teeth stable, supports chewing, and prevents bone loss.
A San Francisco chef told us, “My old bridge used to come loose when I laughed. The new implant bridge feels so solid — I forget it’s not my real teeth.”
Benefits at a glance
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Benefit
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Traditional Bridge
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Implant-Supported Bridge
|
|
Anchored to
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Natural teeth
|
Titanium implants
|
|
Affects adjacent teeth
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Prevents bone loss
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Longevity
|
10–15 years
|
20+ years
|
|
Feels natural
|
Moderate
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Very natural
|
Materials we use at Anchor Dental
We design all implant restorations using premium, biocompatible materials from trusted Bay Area labs:
- Zirconia for unmatched strength (ideal for molars).
- Porcelain or E-max for front teeth — lifelike translucency and shade matching.
- Titanium or titanium-zirconium abutments for a seamless connection between implant and crown.
Each case is digitally designed to achieve perfect balance between function and aesthetics.
Caring for implant-supported restorations
Good oral hygiene keeps your implants strong for decades.
- Brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush.
- Use floss or interdental brushes made for implants.
- Visit Anchor Dental every 6 months for professional cleaning and implant checks.
- Avoid using your teeth to open bottles or bite very hard foods.
If you grind your teeth, we’ll provide a custom night guard to protect your new restoration.
Common questions from our patients
How long do implant-supported crowns and bridges last?
The implants themselves can last a lifetime with good hygiene; the crowns or bridges typically last 10–20 years before needing replacement.
Do they feel different from natural teeth?
Not really — once your mouth adjusts, most people can’t tell the difference.
Is it painful?
The surgical part is done under local anesthesia (or sedation if preferred), and the restorative stages are very comfortable.
Can I get a bridge if I’ve had bone loss?
Yes, often with bone grafting or smaller implant types. We’ll evaluate your specific case with 3D scans.
Why San Francisco patients trust Anchor Dental for implants
- Experience you can feel – Dr. Esra Salihoglu Yener, DDS, PhD has advanced restorative and prosthetic training with years of implant restoration experience.
- Digital precision – 3D scanning and modeling for perfect fit and natural appearance.
- Top Bay Area dental labs – We partner locally for faster turnaround and superior quality control.
- Personalized care – Every restoration is custom-designed for your bite and smile line.
- Convenient location – In West Portal, serving Inner and outer Sunset, Noe Valley, and all over San Francisco patients seeking long-term restorative solutions.
Our philosophy is simple: durable restorations, natural results, and comfort that lasts for decades.
Ready to restore your missing teeth permanently?
If you’re tired of removable restorations or bridges that shift, implant-supported crowns and bridges might be the solution that finally feels natural again.
Because your replacement teeth should feel just as real as the ones you lost strong, beautiful, and completely your own.
