Losing a tooth can, most of the times, ruins one’s mood (and aesthetics), which is why the vast majority of patients ask for dental implants to replace their missing tooth (teeth). Here, at SameDay Teeth Suite clinic, we see various patients who require dental implants. Some have lost either one front tooth or one posterior tooth; others have lost a few teeth, and we also see patients who have lost all their upper and/or lower teeth.
Unlike what most people may think, losing all 12 teeth of the upper arch does not necessarily mean you will need 12 individual dental implants. On the contrary, our SameDay Teeth Suite dentists place anywhere from 4-6 implants, to replace all the missing teeth. This is a concept widely known as a bridge. A bridge is also an excellent option for patients that only have 3 teeth missing as they do not need to have 3 dental implants to replace those missing teeth. Instead, they can have only 2 dental implants and then a bridge on top.
How many Implants do I Need?
The exact number of implants used to replace missing teeth will depend upon the quality and the volume of bone at each potential implant site.
For instance, bone density is generally stronger in the lower jaw than in the upper. The poorer upper jaw may require 6 and more implants to support the arch completely. A CT scan and dental X-rays will show exactly what your bone volume and density is. Once these are assessed, the dentist can then also gather information about the nearby anatomical structures that should also be taken into account, such as nerves, so to know what to avoid and how to proceed.
Also, another factor which will have to be taken into account is the bite, as well as the bite forces.
There are some cases though, when a patient may not wish to have a bridge, or may ask for a denture to replace all their missing teeth, in cases when, for example, they have lost all of their upper teeth. In these instances, 4 dental implants could be used to make the denture more retentive, while, in the lower jaw, 2 implants could be used to make the lower denture more retentive, as well. These are known as implant-supported overdentures and comprise a prosthesis that uses less material in the mouth; hence is more comfortable compared to conventional methods used to replace missing teeth.
As it is obvious, the exact number of dental implants required is basically dependent on each case. Normally, you won’t need more than 4-5 dental implants to have a bridge made and restore your upper or lower jaw, or both arches if needed.
However, it takes the experienced hand of a professional to assess and implement the right procedures, so you can enjoy an excellent result and be able to share smiles with the world around you!
That is why you need the valuable help of our experts, who are always willing to answer all your questions. Just book your full assessment and free consultation today so we can let you know the best solution for your specific needs.