If you have two or more missing teeth, it is important to have them replaced. Doing so is crucial to restoring your oral health, smile, and quality of life. Several options are available today to replace lost or damaged teeth. Dental implant restorations are becoming the number one solution because of their proven oral health and lifestyle benefits and high success rate.
Dr. Conover works with patients individually to determine the tooth replacement option that best supports their oral health needs and cosmetic goals. You should schedule a consultation to learn about your options and multiple teeth implants. Dr. Conover will evaluate your mouth, teeth, and bone structure to see if you qualify for dental implants.
Multiple Dental Implants
Dr. Conover will place several dental implants for patients missing multiple teeth and restore them with either a dental bridge or partial denture.
Implant-supported Fixed Bridge
A dental bridge is a prosthesis that bridges the gap caused by one more missing tooth. It consists of two dental crowns, one on each end, and false teeth called pontics in the middle.
A traditional fixed dental bridge often replaces one or a few consecutive teeth. This process requires significantly reducing the two teeth on either side of the gap to support the bridge. Essentially, you are replacing missing teeth by damaging two more teeth. The two dental crowns are cemented to the prepared teeth.
A dental bridge can be permanently secured without damaging the healthy adjacent teeth by using dental implants. Dr. Conover will surgically use multiple dental implant posts to support the dental bridge. This solution is better for oral health because the implants act like tooth roots, preventing bone loss in the jaw. Dental bridges supported by teeth implants provide structural support for the jaw and bite.
Implant-supported Partial Denture
A partial denture is a dental prosthesis custom-made to replace several non-consecutive missing teeth on an arch. This restoration is used if the patient still has healthy remaining teeth and needs to fill in the missing gaps. A traditional removable partial denture is not very efficient and does not support oral health. The replacement teeth are usually connected to a pink, gum-colored base attached to a metal framework to hold the partial in place in the mouth.
While this will prevent other teeth from shifting, it will not prevent bone loss, and there are many food restrictions when wearing a removable denture. Also, the metal pieces are often visible when the patient smiles.
An implant-supported partial denture is often a better option to fill in the gaps from missing teeth. It will allow you to talk, bite, and chew with no visible clasps traditionally used to hold a partial denture in place. At your consultation, Dr. Conover will examine the location of your missing teeth and customize a partial denture for you.
We will surgically implant multiple dental implants to support your partial denture. The implants will act as tooth roots, stimulating the jaw bone and preventing bone loss.
Dental implants should last a lifetime. They are incredibly stable, even more than natural teeth, allowing you to live more confidently and comfortably. To learn more about the multiple dental implant process, schedule an implant consultation today with Dr. Conover.