If you’re missing more than one tooth and are interested in replacing them with the help of dental implants, you may be wondering exactly how many you need. While restoring teeth with individual implants is always a possibility, often patients choose to take care of multiple teeth with implant dentures or implant bridges. These prosthetics have a variety of pros and cons depending on your selection, but which one you choose will depend on several factors. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of each option.
Individual Dental Implants
An individual dental implant is ideal for patients who need to replace one or more teeth. Because each crown sits on its own implant, this method can be more expensive depending on how many you are restoring. For patients missing multiple, it is often more economical to go with an implant bridge or implant denture where possible.
The benefits of individual posts include the ability to replace any number of teeth without them needing to be missing from consecutive spots, and the ability to restore maximum biteforce with each crown.
Implant Bridges
Implant bridges are great for patients missing several consecutive teeth. They secure to the jaw via several posts and instead of replacing each one individually, use a larger bridge comprised of several crowns in a row. This cuts down on the number of implants you’ll need and can save money over replacing each tooth separately.
Implant Dentures
For patients who want to restore an entire arch of missing teeth, an implant denture provides the convenience of a denture with the security of dental implants. A prosthetic comprised of a full jaw of crowns sits on an acrylic base just like traditional dentures, however instead of it simply fitting on your jaw and coming out of your mouth to clean and soak overnight, it is secured in place with several implants and can only be removed by your dentist. This means that you’ll never have to worry about it falling out when you’re speaking or eating, nor will you have to worry about soaking it or needing a reline treatment.
Benefits of All Dental Implants
In addition to their individual benefits, each type of dental implant lasts longer than traditional dentures and bridges, so you won’t need to replace them every five to ten years. Furthermore, because they’re permanently attached, you can brush and floss them just like you would your natural teeth. Finally, because they’re permanently attached to your jaw, they provide stronger biteforce than any other type of restoration, so you can enjoy a full diet of healthy foods including crunchy fruits and vegetables.
If you’re looking for a way to restore one or more of your natural teeth, dental implants provide many benefits beyond just improving your appearance. Speak to your dentist today about which type works best for your individual smile!
About Dr. Reed
Dr. Jennifer Reed is a dentist with a keen interest in dental implants. She studied advanced surgery and prosthetics under the esteemed Dr. Carl Misch in 2001 and has been restoring smiles with this permanent, versatile treatment in Lincoln ever since.
If you’re interested in learning more about your dental implant options but aren’t sure which type is best, schedule a consultation with Dr. Reed at Smile Specialties today by visiting our website or calling us at 402-488-5007.
