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The SBS/Davis Bridge Difference

This method involves the placement of 4 or more dental implants spaced out along the dental arch where the teeth are missing or have been removed, then placing a fixed porcelain/zirconia bridge over the top of the implant titanium frame, with gum-coloured analog and custom milled titanium bar attached by screws directly to the implants. This method can be used with the NobelBiocare “All-On-4” implant concept.

Dr Wells with Grant DavisIn this method, a custom-designed and milled titanium bar is fitted directly to the top of the implant by specially designed, electronically torqued screw technology. This feature allows improved strength of the finished design, easier cleaning and improved fit and finish of the bridgework. An individualised and custom designed porcelain/zirconia bridge is then constructed to fit over this titanium bar, a technique developed by master ceramist Grant Davis. The bridge is screw-retained to the bar and the screw holes are filled in with composite nanotechnology tooth or gum-coloured materials, to block the screw holes and avoid food trapping.

The gum and soft tissue analogs are hand-tinted and contoured to provide maximum realism and individualisation. The porcelain/zirconia bridge frame work is CAD-CAM designed and tailored to fit over the custom titanium bar. The bridge is hand-finished, contoured, tinted and polished to the dentist and patient’s individual requirements and circumstances.

Dr Wells has been involved with placing these specialty, custom-designed zirconia bridges over implants for more than 9 years and has 30 years of dental implant experience. Dr Wells and Grant Davis, have been instrumental in implementing and developing this revolutionary technology. Dr Wells has placed some of the first prototypes designed and conceived by Grant Davis many years ago. The culmination of this concept is the revolutionary and visionary “Davis Bridge”, designed and created, here in Penrith NSW. There are hundreds of these life-like, full jaw implant Davis Bridges now in service, all over Australia.

Simply Beautiful Smiles/Davis Bridge 2008 Prototype

implants-davisbridge

  • Note natural looking gum work made in zirconia.
  • Teeth are also far more natural looking than with an acrylic denture-like implant bridge.
  • This case was reviewed again some 5 years after placement and still looked like the day it was placed. There has been no degeneration in the bridge, and the patient comes in regularly for simple reviews and hygiene maintenance.
  • The long term initial investment has had enormous cost savings to the patient, with the added bonus that the implant bridges look and feel like natural teeth.

Please note that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Below is a table outlining the general differences between a regular dental implant and the SBS/Davis Bridge difference.

Overview

All-On-4 with Generic Hybrid Bridge SBS/Dental Bridge Difference
Placing 4 or more dental implants spaced out along the dental arch where the teeth are missing or have been removed, then placing a fixed plastic denture with or without a metal sub framework over these implants, attached by screws. Placing 4 or more dental implants spaced out along the dental arch where the teeth are missing or have been removed, placing a titanium frame over these implants, and then choosing one of the following two options:

Option 1: Entry level Hybrid Davis Implant Bridge with titanium custom frame.

  • Upgrade to metal framework – not applicable as included as part of the option
  • Upgrade over time to porcelain/zirconia bridge – fully upgradable

Option 2: Finished “Davis Bridge”

  • Simply Beautiful Smiles/Davis Bridge with custom porcelain zirconia permanent bridge.

Economy

All-On-4 with Generic Hybrid Bridge SBS/Dental Bridge Difference
  • Entry level hybrid bridge available
  • Upgrade to metal framework
  • Upgrade over time to porcelain/zirconia bridge (has to be made from scratch)
  • Fees based on market prices
  • Marginally higher up-front costs, however, massively reduced on-going and maintenance costs.

Material

All-On-4 with Generic Hybrid Bridge SBS/Dental Bridge Difference
  • Acrylic/plastic frame with acrylic/hybrid teeth
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved (for short to medium term use in the mouth).
  • Framework either cast gold or titanium
  • Interim or temporary bridge is TGA approved machined acrylic for long term usage
  • Machined custom titanium bar supplied and manufactured by NobelBiocare is TGA approved for long term/permanent fixing.
  • CADCAM Prettau zirconia is TGA certified for long term/permanent use in the mouthin the mouth

Longevity

All-On-4 with Generic Hybrid Bridge SBS/Dental Bridge Difference
  • 1 to 3 years (typically), although people keep them longer than is often biologically acceptable (they wear).
  • 10 years to indefinite (possibly, your lifetime).

Maintenance

All-On-4 with Generic Hybrid Bridge SBS/Dental Bridge Difference
  • 6 monthly removal and cleaning inspection of the bridge.  Typical fees for this procedure are $400-$800 per service
  • 12 monthly removal and cleaning inspection of the bridge by the dentist. Typical fees for this are $400-$500 per service
  • In between visit at 6 months, for cleaning and inspection by a registered dental hygienist (approximately $200)

Repairs

All-On-4 with Generic Hybrid Bridge SBS/Dental Bridge Difference
  • Extremely variable, but breakages are common due to the brittle nature of plastic and idiosyncratic bite forces.
  • 1 or 2 repairs per year are common.
  • Catastrophic failure or major plastic bridge fracture is a possibility, increasing over time of use as the bridge wears
  • Uncommon
  • Minor chips and wear can occur over time, however, they are relatively simple to repair. The bridge is simply removed to be repaired, without the need to remove the bar fixed to the implants. This significantly reduces the costs (if any) of repairs.
  • The bridge and construction concept (Davis Bridge) is, by design and materials choice, built for longevity and low maintenance.

Warranty

All-On-4 with Generic Hybrid Bridge SBS/Dental Bridge Difference
  • No warranty is required by law, however, most dentists will warranty for 1 to 3 years and may charge for some repairs
  • No warranty of metal framework
  • Generally no warranty on the implants, if not supplied by NobelBiocare* (there may be an applicable warranty in some circumstances of “All-on4 where true protocols are followed).
  • No warranty is required by law, however, Simply Beautiful Smiles and Grant Davis Dental Ceramics Laboratory will warranty the “Davis Bridge” bridgework for 5 years and the interim temporary bridge for up to 1 year*. (*Excludes accidents and trauma. A fee may be charged for some repairs under these circumstances)
  • 10 year warranty of metal framework
  • Generally 10 year warranty on the implants, if supplied by NobelBiocare (there may be applicable warranty in some circumstances of “All-on4 where true protocols are followed).
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