Counting Question: How Many Dental Implants Do I Need?

Losing adult teeth can impact your life in many ways. Not only does your grin look different with gaps, but these spaces can also affect your ability to chew food or enunciate words clearly. Furthermore, without a root in place to stimulate new bone growth when you bite down, your jaw begins to thin which can eventually lead to additional tooth loss.

Fortunately, dental implants include a titanium rod that’s inserted directly into your jawbone to prevent this. But how many implants do you need to effectively renovate your smile? Continue reading to learn more about the options and how your dentist can help.

Option 1: A Single Dental Implant

If you’re missing just one tooth or have a couple that have fallen out that aren’t close together, you might be a candidate for single dental implants. For this procedure, your oral surgeon will place a titanium rod in the socket left behind by your lost tooth. Then, over the next 3 to 4 months, new bone growth surrounds this pole until completely fused.

Once you’ve healed, your dentist can provide a dental crown that’s customized to look just like your natural teeth. This connects to the titanium with a piece called an abutment, and voila! You have a newly rebuilt smile that can last 25+ years with the right care.

Option #2: Dental Implant Bridges

Many people have lost multiple teeth in a row, leaving a large space that can make eating, speaking, and smiling authentically challenging. In many instances, a traditional dental bridge can be placed that contains the correct number of pontics (artificial teeth) surrounded by dental crowns on either end. These anchor to healthy pearly whites next to the gap in your grin.

However, if they are too decayed or you’re interested in a more permanent solution, you can ask about an implant bridge. This involves placing two dental implants, one on each side of the space in your smile, which will be used to anchor a specially designed bridge in place. This allows your dentist to replace multiple missing teeth all at one time.

Option #3: Dental Implant Dentures

Did you know that an estimated 40 million Americans have lost all their teeth? Yikes! Without a full set, you might develop malnutrition because you stick to soft foods with fewer vitamins and minerals. Alternatively, you could have gastrointestinal issues from swallowing overly large pieces of food that aren’t mashed up properly. Dentures can fully restore your grin’s appearance, but only a portion of its chewing ability. They’re notorious for slipping out of place, making it difficult to eat normally.

If you’re concerned about a loose restoration, you might do better with implant dentures. By strategically placing 4 to 8 implants, depending on your unique situation, your dentist can preserve your jawbone while simultaneously replacing all your missing teeth.

Before you can decide which method works best, you must consult with your dentist. They’ll examine your current condition and make a recommendation to help refurbish your smile!

About the Author

The dedicated dental team at Aguilar Family Dentistry has been helping people of all ages improve their dental health for 40 years. Dr. Jonathan Aguilar earned his dental doctorate at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, and offers a full array of services conveniently under one roof. He’s partnered with top-quality surgeons to accurately place dental implants for long lasting results, then provides lifelike restorations to rebuild your grin. You can request a consultation on the website or call (940) 566-5332.