How many dental implants will you need to complete your smile? At first, it may seem like a simple, straightforward question and one that you’d naturally ask if you are considering this replacement option. However, answering this question can get tricky, especially without meeting with a specialist in person. In fact, because of the complexity of implants, your periodontist won’t be able to give you a clear idea until they examine you and then consider these factors.
How Many Teeth You’ve Lost
It doesn’t take an advanced degree to understand that one missing tooth involves just one dental implant while multiple implants may become necessary for more gaps in your smile. Note, however, that the number of dental implants doesn’t always match the number of teeth that need to be replaced. For example, an entire arch of teeth may be replaced by as few as four to six implants.
Where Your Missing Teeth Are Located
In addition to the number of missing teeth, their position within the mouth matters. If your multiple lost teeth are sprinkled throughout the arch, you may require one implant for each missing tooth. But in cases where missing teeth are in a row, an implant bridge may be a viable option. In this situation, only two dental implants are typically necessary to secure the bridge, replacing up to five adjacent teeth.
How Healthy Your Remaining Teeth and Gums Are
When you look at your mouth, you may think the gums and teeth you still have are healthy enough to move forward with implants; however, during your consultation, your periodontist may recommend preliminary work. In fact, if you have severe damage or infection, for example, you may need to have additional teeth extracted before implants can enter the picture. In this case, the number of implants you must get may increase.
How Strong Your Jawbone Is
Just like a house or building with its foundation, your prosthetic teeth will only be as strong as your jawbone. When the jawbone has enough density, fewer implants become required to provide security, especially if they are positioned to take advantage of the thickest area. On the other hand, if the jawbone is on the weak side, you may have to undergo a bone graft or receive more posts to give your smile more reinforcement.
Fortunately, you don’t have to determine the solution alone. After examining you and talking with you about your goals, your periodontist can create a treatment plan customized to your unique situation and let you know how many implants you’ll need.
About the Author
At South Texas Periodontics & Dental Implants, Dr. Marcos Garcia has dedicated his career to helping patients to overcome gum disease and other causes of tooth loss as well as to replace missing teeth with top-notch dental implants. He completed both his dental degree and his post-graduate training in periodontics at the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston and is a Corpus Christi native. To learn more about dental implants, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcia by calling 361-992-7641 or contacting our office here.