When researching dental implants, it can be hard to find information like pricing and the number of dental implants you’ll need simply by searching online. That’s because the amount and type that’s best for you is based on a variety of factors that are individual to your smile. Here’s a closer look at how your dentist determines how many dental implants will work best for you, and why certain prosthetics are better suited for different patients than others.
How Can I Tell How Many Dental Implants I’ll Need?
When discussing dental implants, your dentist is referring to just the titanium or zirconia posts that are implanted into your jaw, not to the teeth themselves. To determine exactly how many dental implants you’ll need, they must consider a variety of factors, including the strength of your jawbone, how many teeth you need to replace, and where they must be implanted along your arch.
Replacing One or More Teeth
If you have sufficient jawbone density and need to replace one or just a few teeth that aren’t in consecutive order, individual, single crown dental implants are an excellent option. Please note that individual crowns can be more expensive if you are missing multiple teeth, so if they are consecutive, it may be more cost-effective to consider an implant bridge or denture.
Replacing Multiple, Consecutive Teeth
For patients who need to replace between two and 14 consecutive teeth, a dental implant bridge is an excellent choice. They attach to your jaw with up to eight separate dental implants, allowing you to replace multiple teeth in a row without the expense of restoring each one separately.
Be aware that although this may be more affordable, it will still leave empty spaces in the jaw, so you will most likely still experience some jawbone deterioration in those areas.
Replacing an Entire Arch
If you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, implant dentures can easily replace them all with a denture that’s secured to just four to six dental implants. Whether you qualify for this treatment will depend on the condition of your jawbone, as some patients with less bone density may need to use a removable prosthetic that attaches to their dental implant posts instead of a permanently placed one that can only be removed by a dentist.
Remember, the exact number of dental implants you’ll need, along with the type of crowns that work best, will depend on your individual mouth. Your dentist will discuss the pros and cons of each type of prosthetic at your consultation, as well as recommend any preliminary treatments like bone grafting or a sinus lift to increase your odds for success. To learn more about dental implants, please schedule a consultation with your dentist today.
About Our Practice
At DD Family Dentistry, Dr. Durga and Dr. Morrison are proud to collaborate on your dental implant treatment to ensure you have your brightest, most gorgeous grin. If you’d like to learn more about this dynamic treatment, including how many dental implants you’ll need to complete your smile, schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website or calling 972-236-7906.