I have more details now. The bridge and the implants are for the lower, front teeth. The four implants will go across the chin, where he still has bone to support implants, and will support a bridge of 7 teeth (extra teeth will be in between the implants). A temporary bridge, made of acrylic, will be placed in his mouth at the time of implant surgery. After 6 months, he can have a permanent bridge (made of a stronger material than acrylic) to replace the temporary one, or he can just keep the temporary bridge as long as he is comfortable with it and it works.

As it turns out, the surgery has been postponed because the existing bridge is finally the secure and comfortable, after more than a year of constant adjustment and re-cementing. The doctor told him to just keep it until it starts to get loose again.