When more than one tooth is missing implants
may be used in the same way as when a single tooth is
replaced. Sometimes a gap may be too large for a conventional
bridge or there are no back teeth to bridge onto. There
can be many variations and on occasion there may be teeth
in the middle of gaps. It occasionally becomes necessary
to connect implants to teeth.
Photo above: animation of multiple teeth
Connecting a tooth in the middle of implants to the same bridge
involves constructing a thin gold coping to cover the tooth,
to protect it from decay and prevent it from carrying any load.
In general it is better for teeth to be kept separate from implants
this is because implants are rigidly attached to the bone, natural
teeth are suspended in the bone by ligaments and move a small
amount when pressure is applied.
Multiple failing teeth
The same principles apply if more than
one tooth is failing as can be seen in the pictures below
where all the remaining teeth need to be removed.
In this case the teeth removed, and at the same time implants
were placed and brought in to function by attaching a
temporary bridge.
In this way a person can come into the surgery with unhealthy
teeth and leave on the same day with the implants having been
inserted into the tooth sockets. Smile and function can therefore
be restored in one day.
The final bridge is then constructed a few months later when
the gums have settled and the bone has strengthened.
