In a healthy, full jaw, all our teeth are held securely in the jawbone.
You may lose multiple teeth for a variety of reasons, such as tooth decay, disease or injury. Whatever the cause, tooth loss can have significant, serious effects on your jaw.
Tooth decay, disease or trauma may have caused the loss of several teeth.
Immediately after tooth loss, the jawbone will begin to resorb, or shrink.
Over time the ridge of the jawbone becomes much thinner, limiting the options and possibilities of tooth replacement.
The remaining teeth no longer have the support that the lost teeth and bone provided. With no support, the teeth begin to drift and erupt toward the open areas.
The overload can move and weaken those teeth, possibly leading to additional tooth loss. To help prevent the possible consequences, we must consider a solution that most closely resembles the qualities of your natural teeth.
DENTAL IMPLANT TREATMENT
If you are missing several teeth, you have several treatment options.
One option involves the fabrication and placement of a partial denture. A partial denture sits over the gums with a framework that provides minor stability. The partial denture lacks a secure connection and without tooth roots to stimulate the bone, the jawbone in that area will begin to shrink.
The partial denture will then move and shift because the shape of the jawbone has changed, causing the fitted denture to loosen. Over time this movement will irritate the surrounding gums, causing pain and discomfort.
DENTAL IMPLANTS CAN TREAT THE LOSS OF MULTIPLE TEETH WITHOUT BONE LOSS, SHIFTING OR DISCOMFORT.
Several options exist, depending on your individual situation.
FIXED IMPLANT BRIDGE:
This treatment involves the placement of 2 dental implants to provide stability and stimulate the surrounding bone to prevent significant bone loss. Attached crowns are then fabricated and connected to the implants with a center crown that sits over the gums. Over time minor bone loss may be experienced below the crown where no implant is placed.
THREE DENTAL IMPLANTS:
Each implant replaces a missing tooth root. Crowns are then fabricated and placed over the implants. This option virtually eliminates bone loss, providing you a stable treatment that most closely resembles the design of natural teeth.
FOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS:
If there is adequate space, an additional implant may be placed to help reduce further bone loss and improve the distribution of biting forces.