Dental implants are an excellent treatment option for the replacement of missing teeth. They are incredibly effective and secure, making them an increasingly popular solution. Implants replace the entire tooth, from root to crown. Solutions which do not replace the root, can result in bone loss. The implant gives the bridge or crown a strong and secure base. Patients are often curious if they need an implant for each tooth which is missing. Implants are quite expensive, which can create challenges or be cost prohibitive for some patients. Fortunately, with an implant supported bridge, one implant can be used to support the replacement for multiple teeth.
One Implant
If the patient is missing one tooth, they may benefit from using a single dental implant for replacement. Once the mouth is completely healed, the implant fuses to the surrounding tissue. This forms a strong and secure base. During the final part of the procedure, the dentist attaches the crown to the implant, replacing the visible portion of the tooth.
When two teeth are missing next to one another, a dental implant can be used to replace both teeth. Similar to the procedure used for a single implant, the implant will be placed into the jawbone and the dentist will then attach a two-part restoration. A crown is used for the first part of the restoration, and a pontic is used for the other missing tooth. A pontic is an artificial tooth which can attach to a crown. This solution allows the dentist to use a single implant for supporting prosthetics for two missing teeth.
Two Implants
Patients who are missing three or more teeth in a row can often use two dental implants for their treatment. The dentist starts by strategically placing an implant at either end of the space. These implants and crowns can support up to three pontics. As a result, two implants can effectively replace up to five missing teeth.
4+ Implants
Patients who are missing all of their teeth from the upper or lower arch, can often use four dental implants for their treatment. This procedure is called all-on-4 or an implant supported bridge. The dentist strategically places four implants into the jaw. Two implants are typically placed towards the front of the mouth and two implants are placed at an angle towards the back. Implants are intentionally placed in areas of the jaw which contain strong, thick bone. A bridge is then connected to the implants, replacing all of the patient’s missing teeth in the top or bottom jaw.
Patients who are considering an implant supported bridge should follow up with their dentist to discuss their options. If the patient has otherwise good oral health, they are often a good candidate for implants. In some cases, the patient prefers additional support and the dentist may opt to use six or more implants as the base for the bridge. Regardless of the number of teeth the patient is missing, dental implants can be an exceptional solution for restoring a patient’s smile. Follow up with a dentist to determine the number of implants needed for the restoration.