Replacing several missing teeth, a failed bridge or a partial denture

Problem

More than one tooth missing

• Poorly fitting partial denture or have a failing tooth-supported bridge
• Unable to chew properly and eat what you want
• Food gets stuck under your denture leading to embarrassment or discomfort whilst eating
• Loose teeth or not enough teeth to support a bridge

Solution

Permanently fixed bridge supported by implants

(For several single tooth implants see page on individual implant-supported crowns)

• Eat anything you choose
• Looks and works just like natural teeth
• Fixed in place, no need to remove it to clean
• No need to damage adjacent healthy teeth
• Should last a lifetime with good oral hygiene and professional maintenance
• Prevents shrinkage of underlying bone

Alternatives

Replacement tooth-supported bridge

• Only possible if supporting teeth on either side can still be used
• Maintains chewing stress on the supporting teeth reducing their useful life
• Should be viewed as a temporary measure, if supporting teeth are failing

Larger tooth-supported bridge

• A larger bridge puts even more stress on the supporting teeth at either end
• If the gap is at the back of the mouth, a bridge may not be an option
• Needs replacing from time to time
• Bone beneath bridge shrinks, due to lack of use, leaving a gap

Partial denture

• Can be loose and uncomfortable, with food trapping beneath whilst eating
• Causes the bone and gum beneath the denture to shrink
• The clips which secure the denture can damage other teeth

Leave a gap

• Unsightly
• May impair eating, speech, confidence
• Bone and gum in gap will shrink
• Positions of adjacent and opposing teeth can move over time causing other problems

Page compiled with assistance from dentists who provide dental implant treatment.