Multiple Implant Placement

Healthy teeth should not be underestimated. Missing teeth can be caused by a variety of factors from congenital defects to just general wear and tear as we age. Missing teeth provide for an incomplete smile and a mouth that is less functional. Missing teeth also cannot be seen as psychologically beneficial. Modern dental technology can make missing teeth a thing of the past.

About Multiple Tooth Implants

Traditionally, a dentist will place a bridge that is anchored on neighboring teeth. Drastically, this requires grinding down these neighboring teeth to accommodate the cementing of the bridge. Multiple tooth implants, or the implant-supported bridge, are a major advancement over traditional bridges. An implant supported bridge utilizes multiple implants in your jaw to replace the roots of the teeth, thereby supporting the bridge without the need to damage neighboring teeth. Consequently, the patient ends up with a replacement that looks and feels natural.

The Procedure

Your multiple tooth replacement will begin with an examination. The examination may include and X-ray or CT scan to assure you have enough bone to anchor the implants and to obtain precise locations for the implants.

The placement of the implants is a two-stage process. In the first stage, titanium implants that look like small screws, are placed. The screws are set and left to be for three to six months to give them time to form with the bone and create strong titanium/bone anchors.

The next phase involves the creation of the final restoration. It can involve fixed or removable restoration anchored by the newly integrated implants.

The Recovery

After the implant procedure, you will experience some swelling, bruising and bleeding for several days. You may be prescribed pain medications. Your diet will be limited to soft food and liquids for the first week. Hot food and liquids should be avoided during this first 24 hours as well.

After the replacements, as with natural teeth, the patient’s commitment to good oral hygiene is imperative to the dental health of the new implants. Daily flossing and brushing are necessities, as is the cessation of smoking. Unsurprisingly, poor hygiene and smoking are both highly associated with infection and failure of the implant. It’s simply not worth not doing your best to allow your implants to succeed.

The Benefits

Implants are strong and stable, thereby making the implant-supported bridge more functional. An implant-supported bridge will not wiggle around. Implants become fully integrated with the bone, which keeps the bone lined up, and your smile even and attractive. Also, dental implants are all metal and have no risk of cavity formation. Your implant-supported bridge should be a complete and permanent replacement for your original teeth. You should forget they’re even there. Smile.

What You Can Expect

After your multiple tooth replacement, you can expect natural results that both look and feel like your own teeth. This should help with talking, eating, and how you generally feel.

Call our office today at 818-584-1841 for a consultation to review enhancing your smile and your oral health.