Replacing several teeth in a row
Where you are missing two, three or four teeth next to each other, the answer is usually an implant-supported bridge rather than an implant for every tooth.
Implants are placed at each end of the gap and the bridge spans between them, so the teeth in the middle are carried by the bridge itself. Three missing teeth can often be replaced on two implants — fewer surgical sites, less cost, the same fixed result.
How it differs from a conventional bridge
A conventional bridge hangs off your natural teeth, which have to be prepared and crowned to carry it. An implant bridge is carried by the implants instead, so your remaining natural teeth take no extra load and need no preparation.
That matters most where the teeth beside the gap are healthy, or where there simply are not enough sound teeth left to support a conventional bridge.
Implant-retained dentures
There is a middle option worth knowing about. A denture can be made to clip onto a small number of implants rather than resting on the gum — held by locators, ball attachments or a bar.
It still comes out for cleaning, but it does not move while you eat or speak, and it does not need adhesive. For people who have struggled with a lower denture in particular, the difference is considerable, and it costs less than a fixed full-arch bridge.
What the treatment involves
- A consultation, 3D scan and a plan showing how many implants your case needs and where they sit
- Any preparatory treatment — gum treatment, extractions or a bone graft — completed first
- Placement of the implants under local anaesthetic
- A healing period while the bone integrates, with a temporary restoration in place
- Your bridge or implant-retained denture fitted, adjusted and checked against your bite
Living with an implant bridge
It is fixed, so nothing comes out at night and nothing shifts when you eat. Cleaning underneath the bridge is the one new habit to learn — superfloss or an interdental brush, once a day — and we will show you exactly how at the fit appointment.
This is one of three implant options. Read the full guide to dental implants in Peterborough to compare them.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need one implant for every missing tooth?
No. An implant-supported bridge spans the gap, so three missing teeth in a row can often be replaced on two implants.
Can implants help my loose lower denture?
Yes. A denture can be made to clip onto two or more implants, which stops it moving while you eat and speak and removes the need for adhesive. It still comes out for cleaning.
Fixed bridge or implant-retained denture — which is better?
A fixed bridge feels most like natural teeth and stays in permanently. An implant-retained denture costs less, is easier to clean and can replace more lost gum tissue. We will talk both through against your case.
How long will I be without teeth?
You will not be. A temporary bridge or an adapted denture is worn throughout the healing period.