Implants & Bridges - Dental Health Message Board

Chaz2 · 03-05-2006, 11:46 AM

Hi

Has anyone had upper and lower implants with full arch bridges.
And is this successfull ?

Any information would be appreciated

many thanks

anitak1982 · 03-05-2006, 06:41 PM

I do I think? But my Doctor's do not call my teeth a bridge but a prosthesis. I have 8 implants on top and 6 on the bottom. My teeth are I guess similar in shape to a denture as all the teeth are in one unit like a denture but there is where the similarity ends. The top unit has no roof and my prosthesis is screwed on to the implants and isn't removable. It also is different in the material it is made from. It has titanium covered with acrylic for the lowers and gold covered with porcelain for the top. Suppose to be very strong and durable and the gold is suppose to give a natural look to the teeth. I am very happy with my smile.

wmkcolors · 03-06-2006, 04:19 AM

I have 6 upper implants, with 2 natural teeth, in the back, on each side. My doctor used a bar, to splint the implants, and fitted a removable prosthethis/bridge over that, which I can take off, in order to clean my implant area. It locks into place. I have an open palate with superior lip support. It looks very natural and is very tight. You have to commit at least a year of your time to remove the teeth, do any necessary bone grafting, place the implants, separate healing times, fittings for the final restorartion; etc. My periodontist removed my teeth and placed my implants. My prosthodontist did the reconstruction work. Some doctors do the implants in a day, though that often depends on the quality of your bone, after your teeth are removed. Each case is unique. Only go to a doctor who does this all the time, not just every once in awhile. It is costly, but I think it's worth the money. I've spent $15,000 plus, just for my upper mouth.

Chaz2 · 03-06-2006, 04:32 PM

Hi anita

Thank you for your reply. Is your prosthesis just the white teeth in a bridge or has it allso got the pink gum moulded to the bottom of it. ?

Allso how big is the gap between prosthesis and your own gums (for cleaning) and do you find the cleaning easy.

Many thanks.

anitak1982 · 03-07-2006, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaz2

Hi anita

Thank you for your reply. Is your prosthesis just the white teeth in a bridge or has it allso got the pink gum moulded to the bottom of it. ?

Allso how big is the gap between prosthesis and your own gums (for cleaning) and do you find the cleaning easy.

Many thanks.

I have seen both and I have the pink gum. Unless you have very good gums (I don't) I think it looks quite odd where the teeth meet the gumline. To me it looks more noticable. The gap is so small that all I can get under it is floss made for implants made by the gum company. I use my trusty water pik after every meal if I can. If I can't I actually take a travel fold up toothbrush with me. I don't have to do this but I am so very careful to keep my mouth clean. Water swishing takes most out if in a restaurant.

My teeth are the color B1 which is the whitest natural shade before the bleaching shades. It looks like I very very white beautiful teeth. My smile is my dream smile! It doesn't look so white that people go "wow! those are white teeth instead of seeing my pretty smile. I have met people that teeth looked like they glowed and when they spoke all you could do was look at the color instead of the smile. To me it also looked very fake.