Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their unique advantages. They’re the only restorations surgically embedded into your jawbone for added strength and stability, providing additional benefits over alternatives like dentures and dental bridges.
However, many patients incorrectly assume that this solution can only replace a single tooth at a time. Continue reading to learn more about how many implants you might need to rebuild your smile based on your dental condition!
I’ve Lost a Single Tooth
Usually, it’s not too difficult to replace just one lost tooth with a dental implant. Before proceeding, though, you must consult your dentist to ensure you’re a good candidate. They’ll examine your mouth to ensure no cavities or gum disease interfere with the results. They’ll also take x-rays and measure your jawbone density to verify whether it’s strong enough to support your restoration. If it’s too thin, don’t lose hope! Many patients can continue with dental implants after an additional bone graft procedure to bulk up their jaws to serve as a firm foundation.
Then, it can take three to six months to fully heal because your jaw must create enough new bone growth to fully envelop and fuse with the titanium rod that’s been placed. Once you’ve recovered, your dentist can provide a lifelike dental crown made of color-matched porcelain to fill in the gap.
I’ve Lost Several Teeth in a Row
Some patients who have lost several teeth consecutively mistakenly assume that they can’t get dental implants because it would involve multiple single restorations in a row. Fortunately, your dentist can pair the metal poles with other types of prosthetics to rebuild your grin’s appearance and functionality, instead.
For instance, your dentist can place an implant on both sides of the wide space in your smile to support a dental bridge. This method reduces the number of poles that must be placed while still closing the gaps successfully so that you can eat and speak more normally. Plus, bridges are made from the same customizable, durable material as crowns and can last just as long.
I’ve Lost an Entire Arch of Teeth
Many patients have lost all or most of their teeth and need to completely remake their arches. In these cases, your dentist can strategically arrange anywhere from four to eight implants based on your unique circumstances to hold a specially designed set of dentures. These are considered permanent installations and aren’t intended to be removed. This is an excellent solution for those with strong enough jawbones or who struggle with frequently ill-fitting, lost, or damaged dentures.
As you can see, dental implants are a versatile solution for tooth loss that can reconstruct your smile regardless of how many teeth you have remaining!
Meet the Author
Dr. David Tilllman has 30+ years of experience helping families in and around Fort Worth build happy, healthy smiles. He earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston and has also completed more than 2500 hours of ongoing education at prestigious institutions like the Dawson Academy and the LD Pankey Institute. He also has 3 years of advanced training in dental implants and can perform the procedure and provide your restorations in the office so you don’t have to seek outside providers. If you are looking for beautiful, long-lasting replacement teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 870-4746.