Dental Implants: Types of Tooth Replacement

Fixed Tooth Replacements (only able to be removed by a dental professional)

Single missing tooth: implant crown supported by 1 implant.  Fixed in place and not removable by the patient.

Multiple missing teeth: multiple implant crowns or an implant bridge supported by a few implants.  The number of implants varies based upon the number of teeth being replaced, patient health, and quantity / quality of bone availabile.  Fixed in place and not removable by the patient.

All teeth missing (in a dental arch): A full arch implant bridge supported by 6 or 8 implants.  The number of implants varies based upon the number of teeth being replaced, patient health, and quantity / quality of bone availabile.  Fixed in place and not removable by the patient.  Even patients who have worn complete dentures for many years may be a candidate to have a full set of teeth replaced.

Removable Tooth Replacements (removable by you)

Multiple missing teeth or all teeth missing: A single removable denture with attachments connecting to a few implants to improve stability of the partial denture. The number of implants varies based upon the number of teeth being replaced, patient health, and quantity / quality of bone available.

Removable tooth replacements are known as “implant over-dentures.”  In this scenario the implants serve to prevent movement of dentures.  Almost any patient who suffers from a loose denture can benefit from dental implants to help stabilize the denture and prevent bone loss caused by dentures over time.