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is a negative characteristic caused by removing a few teeth. However, suppose, for whatever reason, you have had numerous teeth removed or otherwise lost. In that case, you have other alternatives, including Traditional Fixed Partial Denture (Bridge), which essentially attaches to the contiguous teeth remaining in the mouth. You cannot remove this type of prosthesis. Then there is the traditional removable partial denture which rests on, but does not attach to, the remaining teeth in the mouth. You can remove this prosthesis at will for cleaning. It is simply called a removable denture and is the cheapest and, therefore, most common means of replacing lost teeth. A more advanced variation to this type of prosthesis involves mini implants, the ultimate solution for loose dentures. Then there is a more sophisticated and expensive partial denture. These involve implants, a removable partial denture that rests on and is retained by implants and the remaining natural teeth. You can remove this prosthesis at will for cleaning. These dentures stay in the mouth more firmly, appear more natural (there are no wire clasps), and are usually removed less often than regular removable dentures. Finally, fixed partial dentures are attached to implants alone or to the remaining teeth. You cannot remove this prosthesis. They are referred to as bridges.

If you elect to do nothing to correct the problem of losing one or more teeth, your remaining natural teeth will continue to move, and your bite will usually collapse and degenerate further. This is not a good alternative in most cases for more than a short time.

Two situations exist after the removal of one tooth. An unsightly appearance is created when a front tooth is removed. When a back tooth is removed, the cosmetic appearance is not observed, and patients may not be motivated to examine the affected area until certain changes have occurred. First, the movement of surrounding teeth and collapse of the bite occur rapidly. Often within weeks, the surrounding and opposing teeth start to collapse toward the space that was created by the tooth removal, making an acceptable replacement difficult. The contacting areas of teeth near the space may open, and

FROM PAGE XLIX food may become impacted between the teeth. Consequently, if you have one or more missing teeth, you have the following alternatives:

1. Traditional Fixed Bridge. A traditional fixed bridge attaches to the teeth adjacent to the space or you can place it on mini-implants. You cannot remove this prosthesis.

2. Removable Partial Denture. A removable partial denture fills the missing teeth space and allows an improved appearance and nearly normal function. There are also total dentures (whereby the person has no natural teeth on the jaw). This can be stabilized with mini-implants, with the dentures being removable or not.