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.