This diagram demonstrates a treatment scenario that in the past could have only been restored with a removable partial denture.  Furthermore, even a partial denture without any implant assistance is minimally serviceable in this situation to the point that most patients would not be satisfied with the treatment.  A bridge is not possible in this situation because there is not a back tooth available to act a holder.  Placement of two dental implants used to attach a bridge now provides a treatment modality that is almost as good as what was present before the teeth were lost.

Another example demonstrating an implant bridge and single tooth implant crowns