When you’re missing one or two natural teeth, you may opt for a dental implant to replace each tooth. However, if you’re missing all of your natural teeth, you don’t have to get a dental implant to replace every single tooth.

With All-on-Four dental implants, you could get a full set of teeth on the top or bottom row with just a few dental implants which will anchor a permanent set of custom-made teeth in place. But how do you know if you qualify for dental implants?

You Need to Have Enough Bone in Your Jaw

Similarly to getting a single dental implant, you’ll need to have enough bone in your jaw to support the four dental implants to qualify for the procedure. Once your dental implants are placed, they’ll begin to generate new jawbone and prevent further deterioration of your existing jawbone [1].

Even if you don’t have enough bone density in your jaw to support a dental implant, you may still qualify for a bone graft. A bone graft will help build up the existing bone in your jaw in order for your dentist to securely place your dental implants.

You Must Be Missing All Your Natural Teeth

All-on-Four dental implants provide a way for patients who are missing all of their natural teeth to replace them for a lower cost and high level of satisfaction [2]. You must be missing all the teeth on either your upper or lower jaw to qualify for the All-on-Four dental implant procedure. If you’re only missing a few of your natural teeth, you may have to consider individual implants or an implant-supported bridge to restore your smile.

You Must Have Good Oral Health

In order to qualify for any type of dental implant procedure, you must have good oral health. This means that if you have cavities or gum disease, you’ll need to receive treatment for these before getting your dental implant procedure.

The best candidates for All-on-Four dental implants are those that are missing their natural teeth but have healthy gum tissue [3]. During your consultation for dental implants, you can talk with your dentist more about your oral health and your candidacy for the procedure.

Is It Time to Consider All-on-Four Dental Implants?

If you’ve been missing all of your teeth and you want a replacement that feels a bit more secure than dentures, All-on-Four dental implants could be for you. Schedule a consultation with your dentist today to learn more about your options for replacing missing teeth with All-on-Four dental implants!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5347302/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253293/
3. https://www.perio.org/consumer/dental-implants

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A dental implant is a post that’s inserted surgically into your jaw with a dental crown placed onto the end. While the crown part of this restoration will need to be replaced at some point, the implant never will, making this a low-maintenance option for people who need to replace their missing teeth.

Here’s how you can replace one, multiple, or all of your teeth with dental implants!

Replacing a Single Missing Tooth

If you have one missing tooth, regardless of where it is in your mouth, a dental implant could be a good choice for you. In order to qualify for a dental implant, your dentist will take x-rays to ensure you have enough supporting bone in your jaw for the actual implant.

In the event that you don’t have enough bone in your jaw—the body will absorb bone that’s not being stimulated by a tooth over time—don’t worry. Your dentist can still conduct a bone graft to build up your jaw bone for a dental implant.

The implant will be placed first and allowed to heal before it can support a crown [1]. In the meantime, your dentist may place a temporary crown so you won’t have to go without a tooth!

Getting Multiple Tooth Restorations

Did you know you can replace multiple teeth with dental implants? You have the option of replacing each missing tooth with a dental implant, or you may also have the option of getting an implant-supported bridge.

An implant-supported bridge supports a dental crown attached to two crowns on neighboring dental implants [2]. With this particular restoration, you won’t have to get dental implants for multiple missing teeth in a row, but can still see the benefits of dental implants for some of your teeth.

A Whole New Smile with Dental Implants

If you’re missing all of your natural teeth, you may qualify for dental implants. You won’t necessarily have to get implants for each and every one of your missing teeth. You have the option of getting all-on-four dental implants.

All-on-four dental implants consist of between four to six implants placed at particular locations in the jaw which support a permanent fixed restoration that attaches to the actual implants. The benefits of all-on-four dental implants include a lower cost with the benefits of dental implants.

This restoration, just like with single dental implants, has a high success rate and is considered a viable option for patients who want to replace all of their missing teeth with dental implants [3].

Are you missing some or all of your natural teeth and looking for a replacement? It’s hard to come by a better replacement than dental implants. These sturdy, permanent restorations can give you a beautiful, functional smile with a range of options to suit your preference and budget. Ask your dentist about replacing your missing teeth with dental implants today!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/i/implants
2. https://www.perio.org/consumer/multiple-tooth-implant
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253293/

The post Replace One, Multiple, or All of Your Teeth with Dental Implants appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Generally, bridges are used in place of actually having to replace the missing tooth. For implant
supported bridges, the use of this restorative procedure prevents the need for more implants
than are necessary and instead relies on surrounding implants to support the bridge.
Here’s what you need to know when considering an implant supported bridge for missing teeth.

More Flexibility When Placing Dental Implants

Implant supported bridges give your dentist more flexibility when placing your dental implants.
For example, if you have an area in your mouth that’s missing more jaw bone, your dentist can
opt to place the implant in an area that has sufficient bone to properly support the bridge.

Implant supported bridges also evenly distribute pressure. For example, if you grind your teeth,
your dentist might not want to replace each tooth with a dental implant and instead opt for an
implant supported bridge, which will distribute your biting and chewing pressure across the
bridge rather than just on individual teeth.

Your dentist may want to skip a space in your mouth for a variety of reasons, so an implant
supported bridge gives your dentist this flexibility when restoring your smile.

What You Can Expect During the Procedure

An implant supported bridge will be a multi-step process. First, your dental implants must be
placed and allowed to heal. During this time, the actual implant part of your dental implant will
fuse to the bone in your jaw to make a sturdy replacement for your natural teeth. You may
receive a temporary bridge during this time while your permanent bridge is made.

Then, the restoration process is completed. Your dentist will have crowns made that match
your natural teeth and place the crowns on the end of your dental implant while an additional
crown will be made to fill in the space in the middle. Once the procedure is complete, the
bridge will look like part of your natural smile!

Benefits of an Implant Supported Bridge

An implant supported bridge offers benefits over having other, less secure restorative work
such as a partial denture. Implants last for life, so they’ll feel more permanent and comfortable
than a removable denture. In addition, an implant supported bridge will look just like your
natural teeth and allow you to chew and speak well. An implant supported bridge may also be a
more cost-effective option, as it won’t require every tooth to be replaced with a dental implant.

If you’re considering getting dental implants, you may be able to qualify for an implant
supported bridge. Your dentist can help you determine how this restorative option would help
restore your smile and if you’re a candidate for the procedure. You can securely replace missing
teeth with an implant supported bridge!

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Different Ages for Boys and Girls

Any child younger than age 15 cannot receive dental implants, simply because the bone in the jaw is not fully developed. If implants were to be placed before the bone is done growing, this could hinder further growth of the jaw and prevent permanent teeth from growing correctly. Girls need to be around age 15 to be considered for dental implants and boys need to be closer to 17. You can talk with your dentist about dental implants and if your child is a candidate for them based on their development. While dental implants have great benefits such as helping support the jaw bone after tooth loss, being more comfortable than dentures, and lasting a lifetime, your child’s jaw will need to be fully developed in order to properly support and sustain a dental implant.

What Can Be Done in the Meantime?

While children are not good candidates for dental implants, there are several options that can be done in the meantime to ensure that your child has a great smile until they can get dental implants. Of course, if your child’s baby tooth was knocked out, you can wait until the permanent tooth comes in. If your child lost their permanent tooth, one option to discuss with your dentist are partial dentures. This denture would consist of just the missing tooth (or teeth) and be worn until your child is old enough for dental implants. While this is an option that some kids or teens might consider annoying, it’s better than having a missing tooth. If your child is in need of orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist may be able to attach an artificial tooth to the braces while treatment is underway. This gives your child a more permanent and stable option while treatment is being completed, and it will last as long as the treatment goes on until your child is a candidate for dental implants.

Even though younger children cannot receive dental implants, it’s important to seek out an alternative until your child is a candidate. Missing teeth can not only hinder the development of your child’s mouth, but can also impact their self-esteem while going through school and their teenage years. Discuss options with your dentist to get the best care for your child until dental implants can be done!

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