Some of our patients have missing teeth or need to remove several teeth to improve their oral health. Missing teeth can create noticeable gaps in their smile, which can lead to health and speech problems. Additionally, having many missing teeth, especially in the front, can lower a person’s self-confidence.
Missing multiple teeth can cause issues with speaking and chewing. More importantly, it can lead to bone loss, which changes the shape of the face. One major concern for patients is avoiding premature facial sagging, which can make them look older. Missing teeth can cause that sunken-in appearance that adds years to their look.
Luckily, Dr. Mark Reichley offers bridges supported by dental implants in Virginia Beach, VA. This option provides the best stability and function for teeth missing in a row. Implant-supported restorations are the closest thing to natural teeth. Dr. Reichley will assess your teeth and oral health to see if you qualify for implants.
Benefits of Multiple Dental Implants
Multiple dental implants are a great option for those who have lost several teeth due to injury, decay, or other reasons. They offer improved stability, better chewing ability, and help maintain facial structure. Some key benefits include:
- Fixed and Long-Lasting: Multiple dental implants provide a lasting solution for missing teeth. Unlike removable dentures, implants are securely fixed in your jawbone, making them a permanent part of your mouth. This means you won’t have to worry about them slipping out of place, which can sometimes happen with traditional dentures.
- Strong and Durable: Dental implants consist of strong materials like titanium, known for their toughness. Once the implants fuse with your jawbone, they create a solid base for your new teeth. This strong foundation lets you chew and speak with confidence, just like with natural teeth.
- Prevents Bone Loss: A big advantage of dental implants is that they help prevent bone loss. When you lose teeth, the jawbone in that area can start to shrink because it isn’t being used. Implants act like natural tooth roots, keeping the bone healthy and strong. This keeps your face shape looking natural and stops the sagging that can happen with bone loss.
- Comfortable Fit: Implant-supported teeth are much more comfortable than bridges or partial dentures. They feel and work like your natural teeth, so you don’t have to deal with the discomfort that can come with other tooth replacements. Since they’re securely attached to your jaw, you won’t have to worry about sore spots or pressure points like with removable dentures.
- Protects Nearby Teeth: Traditional bridges require the nearby teeth to be filed down to support the bridge, which can weaken them over time. But with multiple dental implants, the dentist doesn’t need to alter your healthy teeth. This keeps your natural teeth strong and healthy.
- Better Chewing: Implant-supported teeth give you almost all of your natural chewing power back. This means you can enjoy a wide range of foods that might be hard to eat with traditional dentures or missing teeth. Being able to chew better also helps with digestion since you can break down food more thoroughly before swallowing.
- Natural-Looking Results: Implants look and feel like your natural teeth, giving you a smile that looks great. They are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your existing teeth, so they blend in perfectly.
- Easy to Care For: Dental implants don’t need any special care. You can brush, floss, and care for them just like you do with your natural teeth. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them a low-maintenance and cost-effective option in the long run.
- Boosts Confidence: With a full set of stable, natural-looking teeth, you can feel confident about smiling, speaking, and eating without worrying about your teeth. This boost in confidence can make a big difference in your social life, work, and overall quality of life.
Using advanced dental software and implant techniques, our dentists can place multiple implants with minimal discomfort and downtime. This makes implants an ideal choice for patients looking to restore their smile quickly and effectively.
Installing an Implant-Supported Bridge in Virginia Beach, VA
Getting an implant-supported bridge is a great way to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. The process involves placing titanium posts into your jawbone. These posts act as sturdy anchors for the bridge.
This type of bridge is more stable than traditional ones. The procedure usually requires several visits to the dentist and some preparation beforehand. With proper care, an implant-supported bridge can last 15 years or more.
Before starting, your dentist will create a detailed treatment plan just for you. This plan will address any hidden dental problems like bleeding gums, jaw pain, or tooth decay to make sure the implant surgery goes smoothly.
The next step involves placing at least two dental implant posts into your jaw. These posts will hold the dental bridge in place. The implants need about two to six months to fully bond with your jawbone. After this healing time, the dentist will attach the new bridge to the implants.
Once everything is set, the dental bridge will be customized to match your natural teeth. You won’t need special products to keep your implant-supported bridge in good shape.
Implant-Supported Bridge Maintenance
To keep your bridge looking and working well, follow these simple steps: brush and floss regularly, and visit your dentist twice a year. Avoid hard foods that could damage the bridge. With these easy habits, your dental bridge will stay in great condition for years.
To learn more about our dental implant services, visit:
- Dental implants in Virginia Beach, VA
- Dental Implant FAQs
- All-on-Four
- Benefits of All On Four Implants
- Teeth In A Day
- Single Dental Implants
- Cost of Dental Implants
- Dental Implants vs Dentures
- All on 4 Dental Implants Norfolk VA
- All-On-Four Dental Implants Chesapeake, VA
- All-On-Four Dental Implants Suffolk, VA
- Dental Implants Chesapeake VA
- Dental Implants Norfolk, VA
Other Multiple Missing Teeth Replacement Options
When you need to replace several missing teeth, you have a few options: a removable partial denture or a fixed dental bridge. A fixed dental bridge is supported by two anchor teeth on either side of the gap. Instead of using dental implants, Dr. Reichley will prepare these anchor teeth to hold the bridge in place.
A dental bridge is usually less expensive than implants. However, it won’t prevent bone loss because it doesn’t replace the tooth root. Over time, the bridge may need maintenance, repair, or replacement, which can end up costing more than implants in the long run.
A removable partial denture is another budget-friendly choice but comes with drawbacks. They can feel uncomfortable and are harder to adjust to. They also don’t work as well as implant-supported bridges and are made of plastic and metal, which can be noticeable when you smile. Like bridges, they don’t prevent bone loss.
Dental implants are not suitable for everyone, but with the right plan and specialist, you can achieve a great smile. If you’re interested in dental implants, call Dr. Reichley at 757-656-6368 to schedule a consultation.