Dr. Justin Deckard is an experienced implant dentist located in Washington DC. For his patients missing several teeth, he offers many options to replace them. In the past, a dentist may typically replace multiple missing teeth with a partial denture or a fixed bridge. However, over the years, dental implants have proven to be the best solution for missing teeth.
Multiple dental implants can securely hold partial dentures and dental bridges. They are better for your oral health, prevent jaw bone loss, and require less maintenance. Your new teeth will look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Multiple Dental Implants
Implant-Supported Fixed Bridge
A dental bridge has two dental crowns on each end with the false teeth (the pontics) in between them. Both traditional and implant supported dental bridges are fixed dental restorations. They can both replace two or more missing teeth in a row. Although a traditional bridge is a successful treatment, there are many benefits to choosing an implant-supported bridge.
Traditional dental bridges can replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. A major disadvantage to choosing a bridge is that your dentist will need to file down two teeth on either side of the gap to accommodate the bridgework. Essentially, you are replacing missing teeth by damaging two more teeth. Also, a traditional fixed bridge does not replace the teeth at the root.
The dentist can permanently secure an implant supported dental bridge without needing to damage any healthy remaining teeth. After Dr. Deckard surgically places at least two implant posts in the jawbone, he will then attache a custom dental bridge to them, holding it securely in place.
The greatest advantage to using this type of restoration to replace multiple missing teeth is the dental implants will act as tooth roots, preventing bone loss in the jaw. This will create structural support for the jaw. Also, an implant supported bridge does not require healthy teeth to be filed down.
Implant-Supported Partial Denture
A partial denture is a custom-made dental restoration that is used when a patient is missing several teeth in various locations along an arch. Dentists often use this type of prosthesis when the patient still has some healthy teeth and just needs to fill in several missing teeth.
Traditionally, a partial is removable and will only replace the crowns of the missing teeth. The false teeth are connected to a gum-colored base. Metal clips from this base will help hold it in place in the mouth. The disadvantage to using a traditional partial is the metal clips are sometimes visible when the patient smiles and it does not replace the teeth at the root.
An implant-supported partial denture offers more advantages than a traditional partial. They allow patients to speak, bite and chew better and there are no visible metal clasps. Other advantages include: preventing bone loss in the jaw because the implants replace the teeth at the root and there are fewer food restrictions since dental implants are more durable.
Dr. Deckard will surgically place two or more implants at his Washington DC dentist office. After about three to six months of healing time, he will then attach a custom-made partial denture.