If you’re currently considering getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you’re likely to have several questions about the procedure. One that might be near the top of the list is, “Exactly how many dental implants will I need?” It’s a simple enough question, but the answer can vary quite a bit from patient to patient depending on the circumstances. Here’s a quick overview of how dental implants work and how many you might require.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are meant to act as artificial roots for your replacement teeth. They are inserted directly into your jaw via surgery, and they can form a lasting bond with the bone around them through a process called osseointegration.
The implant posts will be used to support a personalized prosthesis (which could be a crown, a bridge, or a denture). They will keep said prosthesis anchored in place at all times and give it enough chewing power to handle virtually any kind of food. Additionally, the posts can provide the stimulation that would normally come from the natural teeth, thus preventing bone loss in the jaw.
How Many Dental Implants Are Needed in Your Case?
The biggest factor that determines the number of dental implants you need is the extent of your tooth loss. Different patients require different dental implant procedures depending on the number of teeth missing:
- When only one tooth has been lost, the gap it left behind can be filled with a single dental implant and a dental crown.
- If multiple teeth in a row are missing, they can be replaced all at once with two dental implants and a dental bridge.
- In cases where an entire row of teeth is missing, it’s often possible to use dental implants to secure a full denture in place. This option can potentially require up to eight implant posts. However, with the All-on-4 procedure, it’s possible to get an implant denture supported by just four implant posts inserted at specific points in the jaw.
Of course, the only way to confirm the exact number of dental implants that you’ll need is to speak with your periodontist. In addition to confirming that you’re a viable candidate for the dental implant procedure, they can examine your mouth to determine how many posts will be required in your case; they can also answer any questions that you might have about the treatment.
About the Practice
Here at the Cranford Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants, our team of board-certified periodontists strives to help patients achieve healthier, better smiles with a wide range of specialty procedures. They can use dental implants to replace any number of teeth, and they’re proud to be able to offer All-on-4 for particularly extensive cases of tooth loss. To schedule your first dental implant consultation at our office, visit our website or call (908) 709-6777.