Fixed teeth are often the closest thing to having natural teeth again after tooth loss. For someone exploring implant options, that phrase usually brings up an immediate question: what does “fixed” actually mean? In tooth replacement, fixed teeth are replacement teeth permanently attached to dental implants. You do not take them out at night, remove them for cleaning, or handle them yourself. Only your dentist removes them when necessary.
Implant dentistry includes more than one level of support and permanence. Some implant options, such as snap-on dentures, attach to implants but can still be removed for cleaning. Fixed teeth move further along that spectrum. They stay secured in place rather than coming in and out, which is why many patients see them as a more natural-feeling option.
At Aesthetic Associates Centre, we offer several implant solutions, including fixed teeth, so patients can compare their options and find the approach that fits their needs, goals, and oral health.
Comparing Fixed Teeth Options in Buffalo, NY
Fixed teeth usually take the form of a roundhouse bridge. A roundhouse bridge is a full-arch restoration that replaces every tooth in the upper or lower jaw with one continuous row of teeth. Its shape follows the natural curve of the jaw, creating the horseshoe appearance that gives it its name. As a single unit, the bridge spans the arch from one side to the other and restores the full set of teeth at once.
From there, fixed teeth generally fall into two main categories. One option is the semi-removable bridge, also called a fixed hybrid bridge. It stays in place full-time, so you do not remove it at home for cleaning. At routine checkups, we remove it in the office for a professional deep cleaning. Because it stays more securely attached than an overdenture, it usually provides greater chewing ability.
One example of the implant system used to support this type of restoration is Fix on Six®, developed and patented by Dr. Todd Shatkin, which anchors a full bridge of teeth on 6 to 10 mini implants.
The second option is a non-removable bridge. In this version, we cement the bridge into place to keep it fully fixed. A patient cannot remove it, and we do not remove it during routine maintenance as we would with a semi-removable restoration. This option usually uses 10 to 12 mini implants, providing the highest level of stability among fixed tooth options.
For many patients, a non-removable bridge comes the closest to the feel and function of natural teeth.
How Mini Dental Implants Support Fixed Teeth
Mini dental implants provide the support a fixed restoration needs, but the way we place them differs from traditional implant treatment. Two features set them apart.
First, they are much narrower than conventional implants, often measuring less than 3 millimeters in diameter. Second, they belong to the one-piece implant family, meaning the portion placed in the jawbone and the portion that connects to the restoration are made as a single unit.
Instead of opening the gums with incisions to expose the bone and prepare a larger site for the implant, we place mini dental implants through a small pilot hole made through the gum tissue and into the jawbone. That minimally invasive approach can reduce the amount of surgery involved and simplify the overall timeline.
Mini dental implants may be a helpful option for patients who:
- Need to replace a full arch of teeth and want a simpler treatment process
- Have been through dental surgery before and hope for a gentler experience
- Have health considerations that can make longer procedures less ideal
- Struggle with limited bone volume or a narrower jaw
- Have worn dentures for years and want a fixed option with less surgery
Discover a More Secure Way To Replace Missing Teeth
Fixed teeth can provide a more stable, natural-feeling way to replace a full arch of missing teeth, but not every fixed solution works the same way. From semi-removable bridges to fully non-removable restorations, each option comes with a different level of support, maintenance, and stability.
At Aesthetic Associates Centre, we can examine your smile, explain your options, and help you determine whether fixed teeth are the right next step for you. Contact us today to book a free consultation.
