Multiple Teeth Implant Options

ATTENTION: Currently our practices do NOT have an associate dentist that performs implants and All-on-X implant dentures ON-SITE. We currently do the restoration/implant crown needed after having the implant placed with a refferal dentist off-site that we have found has done an excellent job with our implant clients & needed procedures. We hope to once again have an associate dentist in the future to do these on-site and will update this message at that time. We apologize for the current inconvenience of going off-site. Thank you for your understanding as our goal is to make sure you recieve optimal dental health care in all of our services offered!

Multiple Tooth Implants

A number of patients need to have multiple teeth removed, causing a large gap in their bite, speech impediments, and more. Using dental implants as a method to replace the missing teeth is a great way to enhance your smile and maintain proper oral health. Implant supported teeth are permanently fixed in the mouth, allowing a patient to have a permanent solution for missing teeth. Several missing teeth can easily be treated with the use of dental implants. Dental implants will be placed next to natural teeth, and those teeth must be healthy for effective placement. If you do not have enough bone to support the implants, you will need to undergo bone augmentation or grafting to build the bone up and make it strong enough for implants.

Multiple Tooth Dental Implants Bridge

Some patients choose to opt for an implant bridge, which means not every tooth will be replaced by the implants. A bridge needs to have one or more implants placed to the side to support the bridge. There can be multiple teeth replaced with a dental implant supported bridge. The benefit of a dental implant supported bridge is that it costs less and provides an aesthetically pleasing smile.

A dentist will need to evaluate your oral health situation to determine if you are an eligible patient for a dental implant bridge. A bridge can be done in the anterior of the mouth where the biting force is not as heavy. Ideally, the best place for a dental bridge is the lower jaw where the biting force on the bridge is significantly reduced.

Why would I need just a single tooth?

A single tooth implant will replace a missing or extracted tooth to restore your smile and feel natural. The reason for a single tooth implant is when a tooth is missing or has to be removed because the natural tooth has become unhealthy. There are various situations that a tooth has become unhealthy and requires removal. An example of an unhealthy tooth needing extraction could be an infection at the root of the tooth, often referred to as an abscess. An abscess can sometimes be treated with a root canal therapy, where the tooth is drilled into and an opening to the nerve of the tooth is accessed. The nerve is then removed and the infection is cleaned out. If an abscess cannot be resolved with a root canal treatment an implant may be a good option to replace the natural tooth.

What if the root canal doesn’t work?

In some cases, a root canaled tooth can fail and become infected again. It’s possible the nerve was not completely removed when the root canal was performed, or there was another canal on the tooth that was not accessed and has now become infected. If this is the situation the tooth may require removal to relieve the infection. There is a procedure called an apicoectomy; a dentist can try this procedure to relieve an infection at the root by making an incision and drilling through the bony wall directly at the root. Although, there are many treatment options, generally it is a more predictable procedure to remove the tooth and place the implant.

What if I was born with missing teeth?

Some people are born with missing teeth, referred to as congenitally missing teeth. Implants are a great option to give people with congenitally missing teeth the option to have a full and natural smile back. Single or multiple implants can be placed in the space where their natural teeth did not erupt. After implant placement and some healing time, a crown will be custom made to match the shade, shape and size of their other teeth; giving the patient a beautiful, natural feeling and functional smile.

An overdenture is an economical and functional way to replace loose fitting dentures or make an easy and natural transition to dentures. An overdenture is a removable denture prosthetic device that replaces a complete arch of teeth. With an overdenture, two or more implants are placed in bone in the upper or lower jaw and a denture with a snap-like attachment is inserted over the implants and “snaps” tightly into place.

The reason for an overdenture solution weighs on the individual and their dental needs. Reasons for an overdenture solution could be because the patient has had a lot of oral health treatment and may have multiple missing teeth or is in poor oral health and needs a prosthetic to correct their dental health and lifestyle. An overdenture is very comfortable and functionally allows the individual to enjoy eating and smiling without the embarrassment of having the denture move or fall out in social settings, unlike a traditional denture.

The upper and lower jaw have different bone densities and requires different amounts of implants to be placed for attachment and stability. The most common and recommended overdenture treatment is to have four implants placed in the arch of the jaw. This allows for equal forces to be balanced on the implants and the function of the denture and implants provide optimal results for the individual. Implants in the jaw bone help to maintain bone level and avoid atrophy or loss of the facial structure, while providing a stable base for chewing food and speaking naturally.

The procedure for an overdenture begins with a series of records taken at our office and a pre-surgical visit. The pre-surgical visit includes a thorough review of the patients medical history, treatment needs are discussed and tailored to the patient, surgery instructions are presented, consent forms and payment may be exchanged at this time as well. The next visit is often surgery.

At surgery, the beginning phase of treatment is started. Usually this includes the extraction of the remaining teeth and the placement of bone augmentation and implants. Usually a temporary denture is placed the day of surgery. At the time of the extraction is the preferred placement for dental implants, although, it is not necessary and implants can be placed sometime after the individual has had teeth removed. There are circumstances that implants are not placed at the time of the first surgery. These decisions are all based on the individual and their health and what the doctor sees as most appropriate for the patient. After implants are placed, the healing phase begins.

The healing phase ranges from 3-6 months in most cases. The healing time will depend on the procedures completed and the individual’s overall health and compliance with the doctor’s recommendations for post-surgery care. The doctor will see the patient for some post-operative visit to monitor the patient’s healing progress. When the doctor feels the implants are stable and integrated completely the final prosthetic process will begin.

The prosthetic process is the final phase in which the patients final denture is custom designed and fitted for attachment. A series of aesthetic try in dentures will be constructed and the patient will try them in until they approve of the overall look and fit of the denture before sending to be processed. Once approved by the patient and the final prosthetic is complete, the patient will return to the office for an uncovering of the implants and attachment of the prosthetic denture.

This completes the overdenture treatment process and the denture may be enjoyed by the individual, eating and smiling comfortably.

Overdenture Procedure

If you want to avoid dentures, full arch dental implants are a great alternative. Full arch dental implants do require bone grafting in the majority of cases, and they may not be an option for all patients. We will conduct a complete oral health history to determine if you are a candidate for full arch dental implants. Some patients use implant retained dentures as they allow the patient to have two implants that are used as anchor or support teeth and keep the dentures from moving. Dentures are supported by ball and o-rings, small bars with clips, or clips that will snap onto the implant.

Two Implant Overdenture

Full arch dental implants will use two or more implants to support dental implant fixtures. The fixtures lightly touch the gums, allowing them to hold dentures in place, but keeps them from hitting the gums. The reason why full arch dental implants are valuable is because there is less bone atrophy and more stability for the dentures. Removable options like this are popular because they are less expensive and easy to maintain. Watch the video below to learn more.

Non-Removable Dental Implant Prosthetics Procedure

For a full arch tooth replacement with dental implants, you will need to look at the different options that are available and which one will provide the best result. Using bone grafting can provide assistance with areas that have bone loss and we can use additional pink areas on the denture to fill in areas where the gums have receded. The result will provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance and offers the patient a chance to have a full-functioning set of teeth once again.