If for some reason a tooth is lost, there are 3 main ways of replacing missing teeth:

• The first category of tooth replacement is a denture. They are custom made removable appliances to replace one or more missing teeth. They can be made entirely of acrylic or have a cast metal frame with acrylic added to the frame. Full dentures are used when all the teeth in an arch are missing. Partial dentures are used when some healthy teeth still remain.
• The second option for tooth replacement is a bridge. This too is a custom-made lab solution. It holds on to the tooth/teeth in front of the space and the tooth/teeth behind the space, thus bridging the gap. It can be made of various types of metal or porcelain or a combination of the two (porcelain fused to metal). It is cemented in over the top of the prepared adjacent teeth. This a fixed, that is to say, non-removable option.
• And lastly, there are dental implants. This man-made root option is currently the closest thing to nature that dentistry can provide. They can look and feel like your own teeth.

In some cases, patients may have several missing teeth and may be looking to implant all of them at once. The ability to do this depends on various factors particular to each patient. Before initiating dental implant treatment, the dentist must first assess your bone volume as well as screen for any signs of periodontal disease. Based on these factors, the dentist can then assess whether you’re a viable candidate to have multiple implants done at once.

If you have multiple missing teeth in a row, and if your oral health condition renders you as a viable candidate for multiple teeth implants, you can potentially benefit from having fewer implants placed. For example, in some cases, even as few as two implants can support a four-tooth bridge. 

To assess whether you can have multiple implants placed at once, or whether tooth implants are indeed the optimal option in your situation, you have to start by getting a thorough assessment from a dental professional. 

At Maple Family Dentistry, our comprehensive dental exams assess and screen across all areas, to identify all possible options for your specific treatment needs.

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