When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are highly recommended due to their stability and the way they can mimic natural tooth roots. But just how many dental implants will you need to regain a complete smile? The answer to this question can vary significantly depending on the specifics of your case. Here’s a look at different tooth loss situations and how many dental implants might be needed to resolve them.
Replacing a Single Tooth
Obviously, if just one tooth has been lost, only one implant post is needed to fill in the empty space in your smile. Said post will be surgically inserted into the jaw and allowed to fuse with the bone around it. Once it does, it will be able to support a dental crown that has been carefully customized to match the natural teeth that you still have.
Replacing Multiple Teeth
The idea of getting an individual dental implant and crown for every tooth you’ve lost can be overwhelming, but luckily it isn’t typically necessary. It’s possible to replace multiple teeth at once with the right prosthesis and a strategic number of implant posts.
For example, if you lost three or more teeth that were all right next to each other, you can fill in the gap they left with two dental implants and a personalized dental bridge. Furthermore, in cases where teeth in different parts of the same arch are missing, it may be possible to replace them with an implant-supported partial denture, with the exact number of implant posts depending on factors such as how many teeth have been lost.
Replacing an Entire Arch of Teeth
A full denture can be attached to dental implants in order to replace all of the teeth in a single arch. This can sometimes be done with as few as two implant posts, but some patients could need as many as eight. The number required can be influenced by the following variables:
- Which Arch is Being Replaced: The upper jaw typically has softer bone than the lower jaw. Consequently, more implant posts are needed in the upper jaw to keep a full denture stable.
- Bone Density: The more bone density you have, the fewer dental implants will likely be required in your case.
- The Type of Denture: An implant denture can be fixed or removable. Generally speaking, a fixed implant denture will need more implant posts to hold it in place.
In order to find out exactly how many dental implants you need, you will have to schedule a consultation with your dentist. After they examine your mouth and jaw, they can give you a more precise idea of what you can expect from the dental implant process.
About the Author
Dr. Ryan Shaffer studied dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has made a point of keeping up with his continuing education classes so that he can offer comprehensive and advanced care. He works with local oral surgeons to help his patients reclaim complete smiles with dental implants. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Shaffer at South Ridge Dental in Lincoln, visit his website or call (402) 423-1616.