Like single teeth, several missing teeth can be successfully treated with dental implants.  Teeth on implants are permanently fixed in the mouth.

Removable appliances, like dentures can slip or click, and with implants, there is no worry about teeth moving or falling out when speaking or eating. 

Dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, and can last a lifetime. In addition, they preserve the jawbone which would otherwise resorb and disappear as with dentures.

 

One of the options for replacing multiple missing teeth is a bridge.

 

Using a bridge, however, has several disadvantages: 

 

• The adjacent, usually healthy teeth, must be ground down and capped to support the bridge across the space where the teeth are missing. The capped teeth are weakened in the process, and may fail over time, creating further dental problems.

• The bone in the area of the bridge where the teeth are missing will continue to resorb/deteriorate, and eventually cause further dental problems.

• Sometimes, the spans requiring replacement teeth are too large for a bridge.

• The average life expectancy of a bridge is 5-7 years before it requires replacement.
   

In contrast, with dental implants being placed directly into the bone, the healthy neighbouring teeth do not have to be ground down, which helps to improve the long-term prognosis of these teeth. Further loss of bone is also prevented, and can last a lifetime.

 

Another option for replacing multiple missing teeth is a denture.

 

Dentures are appliances made of acrylic plastic and metal that clip to adjacent healthy teeth in order to fill the gaps created by missing teeth. This provides a cosmetic solution, with poor function compared to fixed teeth.
 

Many denture wearers report that they have embarrassing slippages or dropdown of their dentures with visible metal clasps,and are reluctant to smile, laugh or even speak  in public.

• Dentures negatively affect eating function, and social confidence.

• Patients report discomfort with a foreign bulky object in their mouth..

• There is ongoing bone loss of the jawbone with dentures

• Many patients do not realise that other options exist
   

In contract, dental implants do not move, as they are fixed to the jawbone.

Implants will mimic natural teeth, both cosmetically and functionally, and are the next best thing to natural teeth.

Patients who have had implants report to feel better, eat what they want without concerns, and have more confidence.

With today’s technology, we are usually able to place implants and replace the missing teeth on the same day.