Replacing Multiple Teeth with Dental Implants

When you're missing several teeth, you have the option of replacing them with a partial denture, implant supported crowns or implant supported bridges.

Two or three implants can be placed adjacent to each other to retain multiples crowns.  An implant supported bridge is a structure similar to a traditional dental bridge with the exception that it is supported by implants rather than natural teeth. Often there will be an implant for each tooth that is replaced and the crowns may be attached to each other for greater pressure distribution and stability. It is generally accepted that two implants can hold a three tooth bridge, three implants can hold a four or five tooth bridge and four to eight implants are required to hold longer bridges or full-arch bridges.

The use of implants provides several advantages over partial dentures:

No bone loss or refitting needed

With partial dentures, the lack of tooth roots (or implants) deprive the jaw of stimulation needed to maintain optimum bone levels. This causes bone loss and can lead to other problems in your jaw. In addition, it often necessitates another visit to the dentist to re-fit the dentures to new jaw contours.

Implants don't have to be taken out and cleaned

Partial dentures require adhesives to attach them to the gums, a substance that can be messy and sometimes doesn't work well at all. The fixed in nature of dental implants is often a relief to those who've struggled with finding an adhesive that will make their dentures stay in place.

Dental implants don't irritate your gums

Partial dentures that slip and slide can cause sore and irritated gums. After the initial recovery from dental implantation, soreness and irritation becomes a thing of the past.

You'll also never have to get up in the morning and “put in your teeth” before facing the world!