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Types of Dental Implants
Single Tooth Replacement
Implant-Supported Bridge
If you are missing several adjoining teeth, we can offer an implant-supported bridge. Just as in a traditional bridge, we need two anchor points, with a three-tooth crown attached to span the entire open space. With the implant-supported bridge, we use implant posts instead of anchoring the bridge to your natural teeth. This is beneficial because we do not need to alter tooth structure on healthy teeth for the supporting crowns. Also, with the implant posts in place of missing teeth, we can prevent additional bone loss.
Just as with the single tooth option, we will first place the posts, then have you return after several months of healing to restore your bridge. Once complete, this is a permanent replacement of your missing teeth, giving you the confidence to eat normally and to show off your new smile.
Removable Implant-Supported Full Arch
For patients who have lost most or all their teeth—upper or lower—we are pleased to offer a removable option that works similarly to a denture, but with the security of implant supports. With a removable implant-supported arch, the patient can remove the denture, which snaps into place on the placed implant posts.
In cases where the patient still has some teeth in place but is a good candidate for a full arch implant, the first step is to extract the remaining teeth. Depending on the patient, we may be able to place the implant posts at this same appointment, or we may wait until the extraction healing has happened before proceeding with the implants.
As in all the previous options, we will need to wait three to six months for the body to properly fuse bone to the implant posts before we can complete the denture. Once we can complete the denture portion of the procedure, patients are able to resume normal activity, including eating, without the discomfort of traditional dentures.