When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are the name of the game. These nifty restorations are fully capable of replacing lost teeth in terms of look, feel, and functionality. Better yet, they can last for decades under ideal conditions! However, if you’re wondering if you can get dental implants to restore your smile, you might have questions about how many of the posts you’ll actually need. Continue reading below to learn more about dental implants and how anywhere from one to two to even eight of them can be used to rebuild your smile and enhance your quality of life!
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are small, titanium posts that are surgically embedded into a patient’s jawbone to act as replacement tooth roots. The posts are outfitted with a custom-made dental restoration to replace any number of missing teeth, no matter where they’re located within the mouth.
The posts are biocompatible with bone tissue, meaning they can fuse with it over the course of several months and fully replicate the root system of the lost teeth. This means that in addition to replacing the teeth, the implant posts also replace the stimulation they provide to the jawbone, which in turn encourages it to continue growing and remain healthy and full.
How Many Dental Implants Do I Need?
The number of implants needed for replacing lost teeth depends on a few factors, mainly:
- Which jaw is being treated (upper or lower)
- The amount of bone available
- Whether the restoration is fixed or removable
The upper and lower jaws are very different, with the former often being much softer. This means that the implants usually need to be placed for a stable, long-term result. A patient must also have sufficient jawbone density to receive any number of implants. This is why dental bone grafts are sometimes performed prior to implant placement.
Often, up to four dental implants are used to replace a full set of teeth on the upper jaw. In the lower jaw, there is denser bone tissue which means fewer implants can be used. However, to replace a single tooth in the upper or lower jaw, rarely is more than one implant post ever needed with a custom-made crown. For multiple missing teeth in a row, an implant-retained bridge can be used with a couple of posts. During your initial consultation, your dentist will make sure you fully understand how many implants will be used and why that number is needed.
If you have even just one missing tooth, a dental implant might be the solution you’ve been looking for – and given all of the life-changing benefits these restorations offer, whether you need one, two, or even four, your smile will be set up for life!
About the Practice
Our team here at Worcester Dental Arts has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in the Worcester community for several years, offering a wide range of services including in-house dental implant placement. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up a dental implant consultation, please reach out online or by phone today for assistance. Telephone: (508) 793-2114.
