Forget how many hands it will take to change a lightbulb – you want to know how many dental implants it will take to restore your smile! The answer to this question, though, might not be as simple as you’re thinking. Since no two grins are exactly alike, it will really depend on the type of restoration you’re getting. Keep reading to see how each one compares.
For an Implant Crown? Just One
The most minimal type of implant restoration you can get is essentially an implant crown. Though this is often considered to be the “standard” dental implant, so you might not hear many people calling it that. Regardless, each implant crown is made up of one dental implant and one dental crown. Most patients receive these when they only need to replace one or two teeth.
Need a Dental Bridge? Expect Two or More Implants
If you’re missing several teeth in a row, on the other hand, odds are your treatment plan involves an implant bridge. Similar to its more traditional counterpart, an implant bridge involves placing two dental implants on either side of your smile gap. The implants serve as anchors that will support a set of false teeth.
Sometimes, an implant dentist will add additional support to a bridge by placing another implant somewhere along the middle of the row, but you can expect to need at least two dental implants.
Getting Dentures? You’ll Need Fewer Implants Than You’d Think
Full and partial dentures are usually used as more comprehensive replacements. Even though patients receiving them typically have significant tooth loss, you likely won’t need as many implants for this restoration as you might think. The average implant denture typically only requires four to six titanium posts and can use as little as two to seamlessly fill your smile.
Schedule a Consultation
Comparing the different types of implant restorations can give you a pretty good idea of how many implants you might need, but at the end of the day, the only way to know for sure is to schedule a consultation with your implant dentist. After examining your mouth and evaluating your treatment needs, they’ll be able to give you a precise number. So when in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out!
About the Practice
Dr. John E. Petty and Dr. Jackson Petty partner with trusted local oral surgeons to help ensure their patients receive the best dental implant treatment possible. Whether you’ll be needing one dental implant or six, you can count on their team to set you up for success! To restore your smile with dental implants, contact Dr. John and Dr. Jackson’s office at 931-454-9499 and schedule your consultation. Or, if you’d prefer, submit your request online through their website.