Getting implants as replacements for lost teeth is quite commonplace in today’s society. While they may be a rather costly option for dental replacement, they offer a smoother experience than dentures. There are many questions about this dental development, one of them being: How many teeth can one implant support?
One implant can support two to three adjacent teeth. However, the nature and thickness of the gums and jawbone of the patient affect the exact number of teeth one implant can support. In modern procedures, multiple implants can support four teeth or an entire arch.
Nothing worse than being ashamed of your smile, and getting dental implants is a fantastic solution to damaged or unsightly teeth. This article will cover the modern form of dental implantation and everything it entails. You’ll also find out why you need to know more about this confidence-boosting surgical procedure. Keep reading!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are replacements for tooth roots made of titanium or zirconia metal to withstand the wear and tear of chewing. They have a screw-like base and top for affixing to the jaw. The dentist can attach permanent or temporary replacement teeth and dental bridges inside the implant.
Dental implants are small enough to fit right under the gum, into the jawbone, or on top of the jawbone, in the case of subperiosteal implants. In these positions, they serve the purpose of tooth roots.
Implants can be customized for every jaw shape to suit any lost tooth you need to replace. You can also use mini dental implants, which are smaller than the regular ones. These don’t hold individual teeth or dental bridges, but they work to keep lower dentures in place.
A single dental implant can support two teeth that sit adjacently in your jaw. However, you will need separate dental implants for teeth that are non-adjacent. Beyond the replacement of individual teeth, implants are versatile enough to support dental bridges.
Using Dental Implants for Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are tooth-replacement options traditionally attached to the crown of the natural teeth at the beginning and end of the gap that needs filling. If you have lost more than three adjacent teeth, implants can offer you the option of affixing a dental bridge to hold the required number of displaced teeth.
To prepare the natural anchor teeth called abutment teeth, your orthodontist may have to shape and bore them. This process can cause future problems with those teeth, hence the option of using dental implants.
Using implants with your dental bridges removes the risk of nerve injury associated with attaching a dental bridge to abutment teeth. It is also a practical way to secure teeth replacements without making individual implantations for each tooth lost.
There are also options of procedures to maximize the number of teeth dental implants can support. All-on-Four is one such procedure, and people suffering from tooth loss can significantly benefit from it.
All-On-Four
All-On-Four is a prosthodontics procedure where four dental implants in each jaw or arch support an entire set of teeth. It is an excellent option for people who want full-arch replacements for lost teeth as it has a high success rate and offers support for up to fourteen teeth per arch.
Professionals design All-On-Four to be compatible even with jawbones reduced jawbones. This procedure trumps the need for bone grafting and augmentation, as the existing bone is enough to attach to the four dental implants.
With this procedure, there is no need for an extended six-month wait like regular dental implants. Within twenty-four hours, the crowns can be fixed and ready for use.
This speed of recovery makes it a great option for those of us with busy lives and eliminates the bothersome post-surgery downtime.
There is a variant of this minimally-invasive procedure referred to as All-On-Six. In this variant, six dental implants will support all the teeth in an arch, offering a more secure upgrade to the all-on-four procedure.
The all-on-four gives aesthetically pleasing results while promising quick recovery within approximately one week. During this recuperation period, you will have to eat only soft, mostly liquid foods like cereal. You may also need to take over-the-counter pain relievers to deal with the pain.
This procedure is a game-changer because of the number of tooth implants the system can support. People who need dental implants due to severe tooth loss can significantly benefit from this alternative as it provides full coverage in minimal time.
Life Expectancy and Maintenance of Tooth Implants
Tooth implants can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene, good maintenance, and dental check-ups. Specialists create titanium or zirconia, sturdy, biocompatible metals that do not erode.
Though the implant material is highly durable, it needs proper cleaning and maintenance. Brushing and flossing of replaced teeth are as important as they would be for natural teeth.
Regularly scheduled visits to your dentist will also go a long way in prolonging the span of your teeth replacements. Your dentist can carry out professional cleanings and ensure debris that can lead to decay within the nooks and crannies of the teeth.
Your dentist can carry out professional cleanings in the nooks and crannies of your teeth and ensure debris that can lead to decay.
Dental Implants: Why You Need to Know
Dental implantation is evolving, and as new techniques arise, you need to know which form of tooth replacement is best for your condition. Dental implants are not widely known, but their advantages over other dental replacement options are significant.
Knowing how many teeth an implant can support can help you understand if getting an implant would best suit you. If it won’t, it can help you to decide whether you will opt for a bridge or dentures.
While dental implants can help fix your smile and get your confidence back, they can also open doors to a few other problems when not done right. Understanding these risks can also help you make your decision.
Dental Implant Potential Failure
If your body rejects a dental implant and doesn’t integrate it into your jawbones, it will not be secure enough to hold a crown. In this case, the implant may fall out, or you’ll need to remove it. The weakened immune system in people with diabetes or osteoporosis can also affect the integration of their implants.
Infection and Tissue Damage
During the surgery, nerve, bone, gum, or tissue damage may occur. Any damage of this nature will affect the quality of life of the affected patient.
After the surgery, there is also a recuperation period of about six months for the jaw to heal itself. Within this time frame, there could be infections and inflammation.
Implant Breach and Fracture
When placed wrongly in the upper jaw, implants may push into the sinus cavity, causing pain and headaches. With just about enough force, implants can also get fractured. If you clench your teeth often, you are at higher risk of fracturing your implants.
This problem is not common, but implant fractures often occur with small-diameter zirconia implants. If a fracture happens, you will have to replace your implant immediately.
Conclusion
A single dental implant can support two teeth, but multiple implants combined can support an entire arch of about fourteen teeth. You need to know the intricacies of implants compared to other tooth replacement options to make an informed decision.
It would be best if you also depended on the guidance of your dentist to determine the best choice for your tooth replacement. Cheers to more beautiful smiles!
