If you’ve heard of dental implants, you should already know they’re great tooth replacements. The posts are renowned as the best substitutes for natural teeth, even serving as the gold standard among dentists. On the contrary, perhaps you’re wondering to yourself, “Just how many dental implants do I need?” Your Midtown practice recognizes that as a key treatment question, so there’s no need to worry about it. Just keep reading to see how many dental implants your smile should get!
Consider Your Lost Teeth
First and foremost, the number of implant posts you need will depend on how many teeth you’ve lost. Treatment can widely vary based on whether you’re missing one tooth, several, or all of them.
Missing One Tooth
Patients with only one missing tooth should just get a single implant post and crown. Using this restoration pair, a dentist can effectively “fill” the gap between your remaining teeth. The post itself relies on its titanium core to fuse with your jaw, while the crown’s porcelain surface would “top” your prosthetic and blend in seamlessly.
Missing Multiple Teeth
On the other hand, those missing multiple adjacent teeth may prefer an implant bridge. The latter device uses two dental implants fused to either side of a pontic – an artificial tooth. In doing so, it stays much more firmly rooted than a traditional bridge would. The final restoration also wouldn’t alter your existing teeth; an implant bridge just leaves them alone.
Missing All Teeth
When you’ve lost all (or nearly all) your teeth, an implant denture is your best bet. This type places multiple well-placed implant posts – usually four to fix – to secure a whole row of prosthetic teeth. To that extent, it represents the most involved and invasive dental implant service. You’ll want to ensure you see a qualified oral surgeon for its placement.
Talk to Your Local Dentist
Of course, just counting your lost teeth isn’t enough to determine your final implant number. It’s crucial that you consult your local dentist about the matter, too.
A qualified dentist will know your smile’s situation better than anyone else. After all, they have precise dental knowledge, years of training, and (if they’re your regular provider) your dental records. Great dentists use these resources to judge whether and how many implant posts you need. You can’t always trust your own personal assessment of such things.
All that said, visit your dental provider soon to learn how many dental implants you need. You and your grin will be glad you did!
About the Practice
Midtown Family Dentistry of Dallas is based in Dallas, TX. Led by Drs. Koo, Patel, and Ho, our practice takes pride in its comprehensive and convenient dental care. Even as we offer preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative services, we don’t force patients to endure long wait times. Our team is always ready and available to give your grin the help it needs! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (469)-529-6016.