Multiple Teeth Replacement With Implants
Bellevue, WA
 Missing multiple teeth has a significant impact on your life. One of the most obvious effects of tooth loss is a diminished smile and a loss of confidence. Missing teeth impact your ability to properly chew your food, which can greatly affect your digestion and nutrition. It becomes more difficult to speak properly, and others may have a hard time understanding you. If you have healthy teeth still in your mouth, these teeth can shift from their natural positions, altering your bite. Missing teeth need to be replaced. At A Smiling Heart Dentistry, we offer several options to meet your specific replacement needs.
A crown anchored bridge is typically used to replace up to three missing teeth. Made from ceramic, this restoration consists of replacement teeth, also known as pontic teeth, that are set between two dental crowns. The crowns are designed to anchor onto the teeth adjacent to the space, called the abutment teeth, and hold the restoration securely in place. To place a crown anchored bridge, the abutment teeth need first to be prepared, a process that involves the removal of enamel. Once in place, the restoration is non-removable.
Implant Anchored Bridges
An implant anchored bridge is designed to replace a section of missing teeth, providing an alternative to crown anchored bridges and partial dentures. Instead of relying on adjacent teeth or your gums for support, your replacement teeth are supported by titanium rods that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. As a result, your adjacent teeth are left intact, and your gums are not subjected to the daily pressure of a denture. Implant anchored bridges are permanent and help to prevent bone loss.
Partial dentures are another alternative for replacing sections of missing teeth. They consist of acrylic resin teeth that are set into an acrylic gum colored base. The base rests directly on your gums, which support the restoration. Partial dentures are also outfitted with metal clasps, which attach to surrounding healthy teeth and provide additional support. Partial dentures are a removable option that requires replacement approximately every seven years.
Full dentures are used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth from the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Like partial dentures, they consist of acrylic resin teeth in an acrylic gum colored base. The base is solely supported by your gums. Dentures have been in use for hundreds of years. Technological developments have designed dentures to be more natural in appearance and more comfortable, but these removable prosthetic teeth are still prone to slipping out of place and causing discomfort. They also need to be replaced approximately every seven years.
Implant Anchored Dentures
Implant anchored dentures are a permanent form of tooth replacement that is used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. Your replacement teeth are supported on 6 to 8 titanium rods that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. Implant anchored dentures are permanent, and your teeth are secured in place using screws. The implants help to preserve the integrity of your jawbone and help to keep it strong.
Removable Implant Anchored Dentures
Removable implant anchored dentures, often called removable overdentures, are a type of restoration that use dental implants. Instead of 6 to 8 implants, your full arch of replacement teeth is supported by as little as two implants, and up to as many as 5, that are placed at the front of your jaw. They are often used when you have experienced bone loss, and your jaw cannot support 6 to 8 implants. Your replacement teeth snap into place on a bar that is connected to the implants and can be removed by you for nightly cleaning. This option allows you to experience the benefits of dental implants when you are missing bone mass, or cannot afford regular dental implants.
All-on-4 Treatment Concept
The All-on-4® Treatment Concept dental implants are another option available for replacing missing teeth when regular implant supported dentures cannot be used. Instead of 6 to 8 implants, your arch of replacement teeth is supported by four strategically placed implants. Two are placed toward the front of the mouth, where there is naturally more bone mass. The other two are placed toward the back of the jaw, one on each side, and set in at a 45-degree angle. This angle maximizes contact with bone mass, increasing the chances of successful fusion. In the upper jaw, this also helps to avoid puncturing the maxillary sinus cavities.
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If you are missing multiple teeth, don’t wait any longer! Call (425) 558-9998 to schedule a consultation visit today! |
