Is a Dental Implant-supported Bridge a Wise Choice for 4 Front Upper Teeth and 4 Front Lower Teeth?

Treatment options for replacement of your upper 4 teeth would include a removable partial like you have, an implant supported bridge or a permanent bridge covering 2 natural teeth and spanning over the 4 missing teeth.If you are a candidate for implants, you have the advantage of not cutting enamel away from 2 healthy teeth.  Sometimes cosmetic considerations such as lip position and how high the lip is when smiling affects treatment options.

Every situation needs to evaluated on its own.  This being said, an implant supported bridge to repalce 4 front teeth is very esthetic and has a very good long term prognosis.  This is a restoration that will most likely  last you the rest of your life. A six unit bridge on the other hand requires you to have healthy teeth "cut" down to make the bridge.  A bridge on natural teeth has an average life pan of only 5 yrs based on reasearch and a six unit span only decreases the average life. you will ulimateley need root canals in those teeth or even need tose extracted requiring more implants.  This makes the implant bridge a much more cost effective treatment as well. Avoid the 6 unit bridge if possible

One of the great things about implants is that we no longer have to shave down healthy teeth to replace missing teeth.   If your canines are perfectly healthy and you have an adequate amount of bone for dental implants then I would advise you have an implant supported bridge.  Two implants are a terrific option to support four front teeth.  Esthetics should be the same whether you have a bridge supported by implants or by teeth.  Good Luck!

Avoid cutting down your canines to make a bridge. Place implants in the lateral incisor spots and make a four tooth bridge.

As a general rule, I would say that an implant supported bridge in this situation would be the way to go.  There are many things to consider however to achieve the best esthetics and long-term success. 

a)  How long have the teeth been missing?

b)  How much bone is available?  Are bone grafts necessary?

c)  Do you have a high lip-line when you smile?

d)  Do you grind your teeth?

The problem with a bridge from one canine tooth to the other is the length of the span of missing teeth.  This means that the bridge is 6 teeth long, and is supported by 2 teeth.  With an implant-supported bridge, the bridge is 4 teeth long supported by two implants.  This puts less stress on the implants, than the 6 tooth bridge places on the 2 teeth.  It also places less stress on the bridge framework which is shorter.

I would recommend an implant bridge  over tooth supported bridge every time if implants can be placed.  By doing so you do not have to prepare (cut down) the adjacent teeth to support a traditional bridge.  You can get great aesthetic results with an implant bridge which would replace your front four teeth.

Hi,

Dental implants are the standard of care now for replacement of missing teeth. A bridge should not be done, althought it is an option. They have poor longevity and are prone to many complications. Bridges may last about 6.7 years according to some studies. Implant can be a life long solution if done properly (placement by surgeon and restored by a good restoring dentist)

Dr. Kazemi
 

With the modern success rate of dental implants  they are really more conservative than fixed bridges on natural (virgin) teeth.  However to be fair to your dentist he may have a reason for his preference.  Before implants can be places all the other stars so to speak must be aligned


No Medical contraindications

Adequate bone quantity and quality

No adverse medications being taken


Of course cost can be a factor as well.  Make sure you know all the possible costs going into the procedure.

Hi Nikadee,

Its impossible to say for sure in any case without the benefit of an exam, i can say that if the bone and gum tissue are of good quality your best best for a long term esthetic and functional solution will be 2 implants supporting a bridge.  Does your dentist have experience with implant bridges in the anterior?  One reason that might warrant caution is if you have a 'gummy' smile.

I have restored 4 unit bridges on 2 implants in the anterior many times, and it always provides an very satisfactory result. 

Hope this helps.


Dr. Alper

THe oral surgeon has reasonable advice.  If your canines are good teeth I would suggest you preserve them and not widdle them down to make a 6 unit anterior bridge.  In fact I have had beopel come to me with 6 unit anterior bridges that had shown signs of early failure and replace them with implants and crowns over the canines.  Your dentist may have a valid point in that iti is easier to get the esthetics with a 6 unit bridge, but with a good clinician you can get the same result with implants and possibly veneers on the canines if esthetics are of concern.  I would suggest you do a few more consults and then proceed with the implants.  maKE SURE YOU SEE EXAMPLES OF ACTUAL CASES THE CLINICIANS HAVE PERFORMED THAT ARE RELEVANT TO YOUR SITUATION.