A Roundhouse Dental Bridge Is a Stable, Functional Denture Option

What do you think of when you hear the word “roundhouse”? If you happen to be a railway mechanic, you might know it as the building where trains are housed and serviced. Some people might think of an ancient housing structure with circular walls. However, many of you are probably thinking of the flashy martial arts move that involves a spinning kick. While all those definitions are perfectly valid, roundhouse has an entirely different meaning in dentistry. A roundhouse dental bridge refers to a prosthetic designed to replace all your teeth with the help of dental implants.

What Is a Roundhouse Dental Bridge?

A roundhouse dental bridge is a way to completely replace your top or bottom arch of teeth. But this is no ordinary denture. First, it’s made from zirconia, a material ten times stronger than your natural tooth enamel, so it can withstand even the most challenging foods. A roundhouse also eliminates the bulky pink plastic base on traditional dentures. It looks and feels much more like natural teeth, and the lack of a palate covering means you can taste food more naturally compared to conventional dentures.

However, the biggest advantage that roundhouse bridges have over old-fashioned dentures is their use of dental implants. These titanium posts go into the jawbone and provide a much more stable foundation for tooth restorations like crowns, bridges, and implant dentures.

The Benefits of Implant Dentures

Have you ever heard the horror stories of loose dentures moving around in someone’s mouth or falling out? That will never happen with a roundhouse, as we connect it directly to 6-12 mini implants, depending on the style you want. Because of this secure connection, you don’t need to remove the denture at home for cleaning; you can care for it just like your natural teeth.

The added stability of dental implants translates to increased functionality as well. Removable dentures can have trouble handling certain foods, like apples, corn on the cob, steak, and crunchy or sticky desserts. A roundhouse bridge acts like your natural teeth, putting all those challenging foods back on the menu!

Finally, the implants themselves replace your missing tooth roots and provide the necessary stimulation to prevent your jawbone from deteriorating. Without this stimulation, the bone and surrounding tissue lose density quickly, resulting in a “sunken face” appearance. Keeping the bone strong with dental implants preserves your natural facial structure and improves oral health.

Traditional vs. Mini Dental Implants

When it comes to dental implants, there are two main choices: traditional or mini dental implants. Traditional implants have been in use since the mid-1960s but come with drawbacks like an invasive placement procedure, lengthy healing time, and multiple follow-up appointments. Luckily, modern dentistry has provided us with another option that solves all those issues: mini dental implants.

As their name suggests, mini implants are much smaller than their predecessors; they’re about as thick as a toothpick. The small size of mini implants means we can place them without incisions, stitches, or bone grafts. This minimally invasive procedure results in less discomfort and a much faster healing process—a few weeks rather than six to nine months. Don’t let their small size fool you, though. Thanks to their single-piece titanium design, mini implants are just as strong and durable as larger implants.

Perhaps most importantly, because of the factors mentioned here, as well as a lower manufacturing cost and fewer required appointments, mini implants are more affordable than conventional implants, allowing them to be an option for a wider variety of patients.

Types of Roundhouse Bridges

There are two types of roundhouse bridges. Both prosthetics replace all your teeth with durable zirconia and are not removable by the patient at home.

• Fix-on-Six®: We secure this dental device with 6-10 mini implants. Only a dentist like Dr. Bradford will remove them at your checkup for professional cleaning. Because of that, we sometimes call this option a “semi-removable” roundhouse.
• Non-removable roundhouse bridge: Also called “permanent dentures,” this prosthetic is cemented to 10-12 mini implants and is not removable. It provides the highest levels of stability and functionality possible.

Is a Roundhouse Dental Bridge Right for You?

If you’re sick of dealing with missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures and want a long-lasting, more permanent solution, consider a roundhouse dental bridge. They offer a strong, stable, functional option that looks and feels just like your natural teeth. To learn more about roundhouse bridges, contact The Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Syracuse, NY, to schedule your free consultation. A fresh, functional smile is just a phone call away.

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