When you decide to get dental implants to fill in the empty space in your smile, one of the first things that needs to be figured out is the exact number of implant posts that will be used. Some patients will only need one, but others might require as many as eight. To make sure that you have a clear idea of what to expect from the dental implant process, here’s a brief look at how many implant posts might be used based on your specific tooth loss situation.
Missing One Tooth
It’s probably easy to guess that if only one tooth has been lost, it can be replaced with a single dental implant post. Said post will eventually be topped with a dental crown made out of materials that closely match the appearance of real tooth enamel. Between the lifelike crown and the implant post acting as an artificial tooth root, your replacement tooth will look and feel very natural.
Missing Multiple Teeth
When at least three consecutive teeth have been lost, the empty space they left behind can often be filled with a dental bridge supported by dental implants. Only two implant posts are generally needed to give a bridge the required support and stability.
In cases where there are multiple gaps to fill in a single arch, you may be able to get a partial denture that uses dental implants to stay anchored in place. The number of implant posts required in this situation depends on the number of missing teeth as well as other variables.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Full dentures can be attached to dental implants in order to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. You can normally expect around four to eight implant posts to be used for full implant dentures. The exact number of posts required depends on the specifics of your situation, such as:
- Whether the implants are being placed in the upper or lower jaw. (More posts are typically required in the upper jaw due to the soft bone tissue.)
- How much bone density is present in your jaws.
- Whether you grind your teeth.
- Whether you want your implant dentures to be removable or fixed in place. (Fewer implant posts are needed for removable dentures.)
You will need to speak to your dentist in order to definitively determine the number of dental implant posts you require. Reach out to your practice today to schedule your initial dental implant consultation and take the first step toward re-completing your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Publio Silfa is a graduate of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He has kept a close eye on the latest developments in implant dentistry and various other fields. He offers in-house dental implant placement and restoration for the benefit of his patients. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Silfa at Silfa Dental in Commack, visit his website or call (631) 651-1322.