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Many people lose back teeth (molars) and are faced with the possibility of wearing a removable partial denture to replace them. Partials are hard to get used to: They move when chewing, tend to pack food and retain plaque, and loosen the teeth they clasp to. One of the best uses of implants is to eliminate the partial denture. If a number of implants can be placed, usually they can support a comfortable, non-removable restoration.
In cases where there are one or two missing teeth in a row, the dentist may be able to place a fixed bridge. This is where the teeth adjacent to the spaces are drilled down to receive crowns that are part of the bridge, which is cemented in. If these adjacent teeth have never been restored or crowned previously, it would be desirable not to drill them down. If implants can be placed where the teeth are missing, the area can be restored with a non-removable restoration while avoiding crowns on the natural teeth.
Many people who wear full dentures (plates) have difficulty with eating and phonetics. Often dentures move around during function. In many of these cases, implants can greatly improve the quality of life. Treatment could vary from placement of two implants under the denture for secure fastening to placement of several implants with non-removable restorations.
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