Options for Multiple Missing Teeth in Turramurra

When several teeth are missing, you have 3 main options: a partial denture, a dental bridge, or an implant-supported bridge. Each one fits a different situation. At Dental Specialists of Turramurra, our lead prosthodontist, Dr Anthony Au, plans all three under one roof through our Options for Multiple Missing Teeth service.

This page is a plain guide. Short sentences. No jargon unless we explain it.

Why does it matter to replace several missing teeth?

When 2 or more teeth are missing, the problems build up faster than with a single gap. The 5 most common issues are:

• The teeth next to the gap tip or drift. The bite starts to fall apart.
• The teeth above or below grow out because they have nothing to bite against.
• You chew on the remaining teeth only. Those teeth wear down faster.
• The jawbone shrinks where the teeth are missing. The face looks older.
• Food traps in the gaps and the gum gets sore.

The sooner you replace the missing teeth, the more options you keep open. Bone that has shrunk cannot always be rebuilt.

What are my 3 main options?

Here is a quick comparison. We go into more detail on each one further down.

All 3 are real options used by patients every day. The right one depends on your mouth, your goals, and your budget.

Option 1: A removable partial denture

A partial denture is a plate that holds one or more fake teeth. It clips onto your remaining teeth with small metal or tooth-coloured clasps. You take it out at night to clean it.

There are 3 main kinds:

• Acrylic partial. A pink acrylic base with teeth set in it. The most affordable option.
• Cobalt-chromium (cast metal) partial. A thin metal framework with teeth on top. Lighter and stronger than acrylic.
• Flexible partial. A soft, gum-coloured base that bends slightly. Comfortable for some patients, but not as durable as the metal kind.

Why choose a partial denture

• Lowest upfront cost.
• No surgery and no shaping of other teeth.
• Easy to add more teeth if you lose more in the future.

The trade-off

• It is removable. Some patients find this hard to get used to.
• It does not feel as natural as a fixed bridge or implants.
• It rests on the gum, so the bone under it still shrinks slowly over time.

Option 2: A fixed dental bridge

A dental bridge is a row of joined crowns that fills the gap. The end crowns sit over the teeth on either side of the gap (called the abutment teeth). The middle crowns fill the space where the teeth are missing.

There are 2 main kinds:

• Conventional bridge. Needs healthy teeth on both sides of the gap. The abutment teeth are shaped and crowned.
• Cantilever bridge. Used when there is only one tooth next to the gap. Less common, used in low-bite areas like the front teeth.

Why choose a bridge

• It is fixed in place. You do not take it out. You brush it like normal teeth.
• Faster than implants. Most bridges take 2 to 3 visits over a few weeks.
• It looks and feels natural when well made.

The trade-off

• The abutment teeth have to be shaped down. This is permanent.
• If the abutment teeth fail later, the whole bridge is at risk.
• The bone under the missing teeth still shrinks over time.

Option 3: An implant-supported bridge

An implant-supported bridge stands on dental implants, not on your natural teeth. One implant can support more than one fake tooth, so we do not need one implant per missing tooth.

For example, 3 missing teeth in a row can often be replaced with 2 implants and a 3-tooth bridge.

Why choose an implant-supported bridge

There are 4 strong reasons:

• The teeth next to the gap are not touched. They stay whole.
• The bone is preserved around the implants. Your face keeps its shape.
• It is fixed in place. You brush and floss it like normal teeth.
• It can last a lifetime with good care.

The trade-off

• It takes longer. From first visit to final bridge is usually 4 to 8 months.
• It costs more upfront than a partial denture.
• You need enough bone for the implants. If the bone has shrunk, we can build it up with a graft first.

How does Dr Au help me choose?

Dr Au looks at 5 things at your first visit:

• Where the gaps are and how many teeth are missing.
• The teeth next to the gaps. Are they healthy, filled, or crowned already?
• The bone in the gaps. A 3D scan shows if there is enough for implants.
• Your bite and your grinding habits.
• Your goals and budget. A short-term fix versus a long-term plan.

We then give you a written plan with the options, the steps, and the time each one takes. You do not have to decide on the day.

How long does the whole treatment take?

• Partial denture: 2 to 4 weeks.
• Fixed bridge: 2 to 4 weeks.
• Implant-supported bridge: 4 to 8 months, with most of that time being healing.

How much do these options cost?

Costs vary depending on the option, the number of teeth, the materials, and any extra work needed (such as bone grafting or extractions). We do not publish prices. After your first visit we give a clear written quote.

You can spread the cost with Afterpay, DentiCare, or humm. We accept BUPA, Medibank, and other major health funds.

How do I book?

Call us on (02) 9488 7455 or visit us at Suite 1-2 / 1335 Pacific Highway, Turramurra NSW 2074. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

If you are also worried about the way your face looks after losing teeth, read more about our Anti-ageing Complex Restorative Dental Care service.

What is comfort like during treatment?

Dr Au uses a computerised anaesthetic that numbs you drop by drop. No big needles. Most patients say they barely feel it. While we work, you can:

• Watch a DVD on a virtual reality headset.
• Have an aromatherapy eye pack placed over your eyes.
• Listen to music.
• Ask for premedication or inhalational analgesia if you feel anxious.

Frequently Asked Questions