Dental Implant Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

If you have lost multiple teeth, dental implants are one of the options for replacing missing teeth. This article highlights how dental implants work as a tooth replacement. Dental implants are titanium screws that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. They act as prosthetic tooth roots, securing oral restorations that replace missing teeth.

Options for replacing missing teeth: Dental implants

Dental implants are the only tooth restoration option that can restore lost tooth roots, making them the preferred choice by many dentists to replace missing teeth. This is critical because dental roots perform two functions: anchoring the top of a tooth and stimulating the jaw to maintain its density. When a person chooses dental implants to replace lost teeth, the jaw continues to get the stimulation required to stay healthy. This prevents the bone tissue resorption that occurs when teeth are absent, a disease that frequently results in wrinkles and fine lines.

The following are some of the options for replacing missing teeth that can be used with dental implants:

Implant-supported bridges

For individuals with many missing teeth, implants may be coupled with dental bridges to provide a more permanent option. When a patient has a few missing teeth close together, the dentist may suggest this alternative.

The dentist will place two implants on each end of the space left by the lost teeth. Crowns are added to the implants' external-facing end after they have completely bonded with the jawbone. These crowns function as the bridge's abutments. The dentist will create a custom oral prosthesis by taking an imprint of the patient's teeth.

To ensure that the final result appears natural, the dentist will match the prosthesis's color, size, and form to the patient's natural teeth. Unlike with traditional bridges, there is no need to file down healthy teeth for the process.

Implant-supported dentures

This treatment is usually suggested for those who are missing most of their natural teeth. Implant-supported dentures offer the strength and stability of implants with the cost-effectiveness of dentures. Four to six implants are placed along the patient's jaw, and dentures are connected to the implants after osseointegration.

There are detachable implant-supported dentures similar to conventional dentures but more stable and permanent alternatives, which remain in place once implanted. The dentist will offer a suggestion based on the patient's condition. With implant dentures, patients can consume regular meals, speak and smile confidently in public without fearing that their dentures will slip out.

Single dental crowns

The cost of getting multiple single implant crowns can add up quickly, so dentists seldom use them to replace multiple missing teeth, although there are times when it would be advisable. A patient with two missing teeth should have single implants for both since each option would need at least two implants. The dentist will only need to place an implant and fabricate a dental crown to finalize the restoration process.