How Many Teeth Can Implants Replace?
When it’s time to talk to the dentist about replacing a missing or damaged tooth, the dentist may offer you a few options. Usually, the dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for a dental implant because they offer the most secure and long-lasting tooth replacements compared to the other options. But to have a dental implant you need to be healthy enough for the surgery and to allow the implant to heal properly in place.
Not only can a dental implant replace a missing tooth, but it can help replace multiple missing teeth in one area of your mouth like a traditional dental bridge can when the dental implant is used to support the dental bridge. The post that is implanted into the jaw bone functions as a root when it supports single teeth and an anchor to a multiple tooth fixture. It is not always necessary to have an implant in place for each tooth you are looking to replace.
When you are replacing a single tooth with a dental implant, the dentist will ensure that your implanted post is placed properly in your jaw to support the tooth and to heal in place without disturbing the teeth on either side. Once the post has healed, the dentist will place a crown to sit above the gums and function just like all your other teeth. The single implant will support the single crown. A single implant can support two missing teeth that are adjacent to each other. Instead of the dentist using a traditional crown on top of the implant, the dentist will use a two-unit tooth restoration. The dentist may need to adjust the placement of the implant to support both teeth properly and help you feel like you have natural teeth instead of an unstable tooth replacement.
When you are replacing three or more teeth, the dentist will review the exact location of your missing teeth and the health of your jawbone to determine the best location for the implants and how many you need to support them. In some cases, the dentist may be able to use as few as two implants to secure an entire single denture. In other cases, the dentist may place one implant on one end of the missing teeth and another implant on the other end of the missing teeth. Those two implanted posts may be able to able to support all of the replacement teeth in the gap. In many cases, one dental implant can support up to three dental crowns.
When you are replacing four or more missing teeth, like in the case of people needing dentures, the dentist may be able to replace your entire jaw with as few as four dental implants. The process of using four strategically placed implants to support one denture or one dental fixture is referred to as All on 4. The dentist must be specially trained in this procedure and the implants are specifically placed to keep the dentures secure and to be strong enough to withstand the pressure of on jaw on the other. The implants are placed at the front of the jaw on either side and at that back of the of jaw on either side. The placement requires very precise work by the dentist and a jaw bone healthy enough to heal well and fuse with the implanted posts.