If you're missing several teeth, implants can replace them individually or support a fixed bridge — often using fewer implants than the number of teeth being replaced.
SEVERAL MISSING TEETH
When several teeth in a row are missing, you don't always need one implant per tooth. An implant-supported bridge uses implants at each end of the gap to hold a row of connected replacement teeth, without relying on your natural teeth for support.
If missing teeth are spread across different areas of your mouth, individual implants, implant bridges, or a combination can be planned for each space. Your dentist will recommend an approach based on the number of gaps, their location and your bone.
YOUR OPTIONS
Every mouth is different. Your dentist will suggest the most conservative approach for the number and location of your missing teeth and the condition of your bone.
Implants at each end of a gap hold a bridge of connected replacement teeth. It is a common way to replace three or more missing teeth in a row without placing an implant for every tooth.
When missing teeth are not next to each other, each can be replaced with its own implant and crown. Each restoration stands on its own and is cleaned much like a natural tooth.
If most teeth in one section of the jaw are missing, a longer implant bridge on several implants may replace them as a fixed alternative to a partial denture.
If all or nearly all teeth in an arch are missing or failing, a full-arch option may be a better fit. See our All-on-4 page for details.
IMPLANTS VS PARTIALS
A removable partial denture replaces missing teeth with a plate that clips onto your remaining teeth. It is usually less costly up front, but it can feel bulky, needs to be removed for cleaning, and may loosen as the bone beneath it changes.
Implant-supported teeth stay fixed in place and are cleaned with a toothbrush, floss and other tools your hygienist recommends. Because the implants sit in the jawbone, they may also help maintain bone where they are placed.
WHY TRUSTED DENTAL
When several teeth are missing, implant positions and the final bridge or crowns need to be planned together. Our Los Angeles team maps both before treatment begins.
Cone beam CT imaging shows bone volume, nerve pathways and sinus position at each planned implant site, helping decide how many implants are needed and where.
Digital impressions and your 3D scan are used to plan implant positions alongside the size and shape of the bridge or crowns, so you know what to expect.
When several teeth have been missing for some time, the bone may have thinned. Grafting can rebuild volume at specific sites before implants are placed.
Our team will review your PPO benefits and explain financing through CareCredit, Sunbit and Cherry, as well as in-house payment plans for qualifying treatment.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers to common questions about replacing several teeth with implants at our Los Angeles office.
Not always. When three or more teeth in a row are missing, two implants can often support a bridge that replaces all of them. Your dentist will recommend the number of implants based on the length of the gap, your bite and your bone.
An implant-supported bridge is a row of connected replacement teeth held in place by implants instead of natural teeth. The implants are placed at the ends of the gap, and after healing, the bridge is attached to them. It stays fixed and is not removed at home.
Yes. Separate gaps can each be treated with an individual implant, an implant bridge, or a mix of both. Your dentist reviews each site on your 3D scan and builds one plan that covers all of them.
Often, yes, when the sites are ready and your dentist feels it is appropriate. Placing implants together can mean one healing period instead of several. Some cases are staged, for example when extractions or bone grafting are needed first.
Brush it twice a day like natural teeth, and clean under the bridge where it meets the gums using floss threaders, a water flosser or small brushes. Regular professional cleanings and checkups help keep the gums around the implants healthy. Your hygienist can show you which tools work best for your bridge.
Book a multiple-implant consultation at our Los Angeles, CA office. We'll review your 3D scan, map out implant positions, and explain your options and estimated costs before treatment begins.