Implant Prosthodontics
Charlotte Dental Implant Center provides implant-supported crowns and bridges at 2809 Coltsgate Road, Suite 220, Charlotte, NC 28211. Dr. Rush Sunar, DMD designs and places custom implant-supported restorations that replace missing teeth without cutting or drilling adjacent healthy teeth. Unlike traditional bridges that require reducing neighboring teeth to serve as anchors, implant-supported restorations stand independently on their own titanium implant foundation.
Implant Crowns: Replacing a Single Missing Tooth
An implant crown replaces one missing tooth. A titanium implant is placed in the jawbone, and after osseointegration (3 to 6 months), a custom porcelain crown is attached via an abutment connector. The result is a permanent, standalone replacement tooth that matches the size, shape, and color of the surrounding natural teeth. Implant crowns do not decay, though the surrounding gum tissue still requires daily care. With proper hygiene, an implant crown can last a lifetime.
Implant Bridges: Replacing Multiple Adjacent Missing Teeth
An implant bridge replaces two or more adjacent missing teeth using implants at each end of the span to support a connected row of prosthetic teeth. For example, three missing teeth in a row can be replaced with two implants supporting a three-unit bridge — rather than placing three individual implants. This reduces the number of surgical sites, lowers cost, and achieves the same functional and aesthetic result.
Implant-Supported vs Traditional Bridges
A traditional dental bridge requires grinding down the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchors for the bridge. This permanently removes healthy tooth structure from teeth that may otherwise need no treatment.
An implant-supported bridge leaves adjacent teeth completely untouched. The implants serve as independent anchors in the jawbone. This preserves natural tooth structure, maintains bone volume at the implant site, and typically lasts longer than traditional bridges — which have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years compared to a lifetime for implant-supported restorations.
Materials and Process
Charlotte Dental Implant Center uses porcelain and zirconia crowns and bridges custom-fabricated to match each patient’s natural dentition. Dr. Sunar takes digital impressions and works with dental laboratories to produce restorations that fit precisely and look natural. All implant planning uses on-site cone-beam CT scanning for accurate positioning.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Find out if an implant crown or bridge is right for you. Free evaluation and CT scan included.Call (704) 375-4252
Related Services
Need a single tooth replaced? Learn about single dental implants with same-day placement available.
Missing all teeth in one or both arches? All-on-4 full-arch implants provide a complete fixed solution.
Learn about Dr. Rush Sunar’s credentials and over 20 years of implant experience.
First time visiting? See our new patient information page for what to bring and what to expect.