Multiple Implant Placement (Implant-Supported Bridge)
Healthy teeth should never be taken for granted. Missing teeth can occur for many reasons—congenital absence, injury, decay, or normal wear over time. Beyond changing the appearance of your smile, missing teeth can affect chewing, speech, and confidence. Fortunately, modern dental implant technology can replace missing teeth in a way that looks natural and feels secure.
About Multiple Tooth Implants
Traditionally, multiple missing teeth have been replaced with a dental bridge anchored to the neighboring teeth. This approach often requires reshaping (grinding down) healthy adjacent teeth to support the bridge.
An implant-supported bridge is a major advancement over a traditional bridge. Instead of relying on neighboring teeth for support, dental implants are placed into the jawbone to replace tooth roots and anchor the bridge. This allows for a strong, stable replacement—without sacrificing healthy surrounding teeth—while restoring function and aesthetics.
The Procedure
Your treatment begins with a comprehensive examination. This may include digital X-rays and/or a CT scan (3D imaging) to evaluate bone volume and determine the precise placement of your implants.
Implant placement is typically a two-stage process:
Stage 1: Implant placement
Small titanium implants (often described as tiny “screws”) are placed into the jawbone. Over the next three to six months, the implants fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a strong foundation for the final teeth.
Stage 2: Final restoration
Once integration is complete, your final restoration is created. Depending on your needs, this may be a fixed bridge or a removable implant-supported restoration, securely anchored to the implants.
Recovery
After implant placement, it’s normal to experience mild to moderate swelling, bruising, and minor bleeding for several days. Pain medication may be prescribed as needed.
After your restoration is placed, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential—just like with natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing are necessary, and smoking cessation is strongly recommended, as smoking significantly increases the risk of infection and implant complications.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Bridges
What You Can Expect
Following your multiple tooth implant treatment, you can expect a replacement that looks natural and functions like your own teeth—helping improve chewing, speech, comfort, and confidence.
To learn whether an implant-supported bridge is right for you, call our office at (818) 584-1841 to schedule a consultation.