Edentulous Tooth Replacement Fixed Bridge

Click here to watch an animated video that demonstrates the fabrication methods and dental surgery discussed in detail below (recommended viewing). Look for our 2nd video link at the bottom of this page, showing an actual Marius Bridge treatment on a female patient.

Common Full Arch Treatment Choices

Full arch tooth replacement choices have historically included standard dentures, implant supported dentures, implant supported fixed and removeable bridgework.

Each treatment solution is accompanied by advantages and disadvantages that usually play a key role in determining how an edentulous patient selects his or her ideal treatment.

Mandibular Arch example

Traditional Dentures

Denture solutions are a popular choice based on cost and convenience of treatment (barring unforeseen complications). Over time, however, dentures can cause significant bone loss and bone height. The replacement cycles, especially if bone loss occurs, can become costly and terribly inconvenient.

Anchored - Implant Supported Denture

Implant supported dentures are rapidly gaining in popularity. Standard implants and newer mini style implant devices (Imtec, Sterngold, Intra-Lock) are being used to secure lower dentures with good success. Mini implants in the upper arch are being used, but remains a controversial treatment for certain patient populations.

Lower Arch example

Fixed Bridge

The fixed bridge method of replacing teeth in the maxillary or mandibular jaw (upper and lower jaws) have been a successful treatment for years.

While fixed bridges offer superb function and esthetics (palateless upper prosthesis, gag free, well anchored across 4-6 implants or more, minimal need for acrylic / cosmetic gingival areas), they can require inconvenient return visits to the dentist for periodic removal and cleaning.

Lower Arch mounting example

Multiple Singular Implants

Some patient populations, typically younger, may opt for total tooth replacements across the entire jawbone with an implant for each tooth. Due to bone density issues that are highly variable across the upper arch, small 2-3-4 unit bridgework may still be required for older populations.

Marius Bridge Hybrid

The Marius bridge is a rigid non-resilient implant supported restoration that has been specificially designed so it can be removed by the patient for oral hygiene purposes (accumulation of bacteria is a primary cause of implant failure).

Upper Arch example

Unlike conventional dentures, the Marius bridge is NOT TISSUE SUPPORTED.

Traditional dental implants are placed in a pattern across the jaw that maximizes the opportunity to provide firm attachment while simultaneously distributing biting forces via custom infrastructure (more below).

Acrylic components of the bridge serve primarily to restore lost hard and soft tissue.

Gag free

There are no extensions into the palatal area beyond the lost alveolar height or width following dental extraction, thereby eliminating the gag response that is typically associated with dentures.

Model representing affixed mounting bracket

No accidental loosening

Once the bridge is seated with the posterior safety locks engaged, there is no possibility of accidental dislodging or loosening, as can occur with other bar and clip removable denture (fixed bridge) designs.

The Marius bridge uses a dual bar system incorporating both a screw-retained bar and a corresponding bar that is built into a removable prosthesis (denture).

The bar connecting to the implants is made up of two separate bars. One bar is a custom milled Procera framework that corresponds to the implant placements with a second, attachment bar that mounts directly to the Procera framework.

Underside Infrastructure

The bar integrated into the denture or fixed bridge prosthesis (the attachment bar) is designed to provide a custom fit and mounting to the bars that are attached to the implants.

Occlusal forces are normalized and distributed evenly across the entire implant framework, thereby promoting healthy bone and eliminating osseointegration failures that can occur with some traditional bridges or individual denture anchors (mini implants or standard implants).

The placement and positioning of implants are configured into a tilted fashion. In contrast to non-tilted implants, the benefits of using a tilted design are considerable.

Unlocking Key

Improvement in force distribution
Avoids the antrum
Eliminates the need for grafting
Allows engagement of dense bone
Permits longer implants in less bone

Real Treatment Example

Click here to watch a video of a female patient being fitted with the mounting bar and placement of the upper prosthesis. The video link for the animation video showing specific treatment procedures is at the top of the page.