Tooth loss is a common part of aging. In fact, 1 in 6 adults over age 65 has no natural teeth.
Losing your teeth can affect your ability to eat healthy foods and your confidence. The good news? Dental implants are an accessible way to restore lost teeth.
Keep reading to learn more about dental implants as well as the difference between full mouth dental implants and single implants and which is right for you.
Single Dental Implants
Single dental implants are the traditional method of tooth replacement. With single implants, each tooth is replaced with a single implant post. Single implants are often the best choice for people who are only missing one or two teeth.
Your dentist will place an implant post that functions like the root of a natural tooth. Then, they will place an abutment and a crown that closely resembles a natural tooth.
When the healing process is complete, your implant and crown will function just like a natural tooth.
Full Mouth Dental Implants
If you are missing more than one tooth or have damaged teeth, multiple single implants may not be the best option.
Full mouth dental implants are also called full arch dental implants. With full mouth dental implants, you can easily replace more than one or two missing teeth.
There are multiple types of full mouth dental implants includuing implant-supported dentures and implant-supported bridges. With full arch dental implants, the same type of anchor is used as with single dental implants.
However, instead of needing an implant post for each missing tooth, only a few are needed to support an arch of prosthetic teeth. Whether you need a bridge or dentures depends on the number of teeth you are missing.
Single vs Multiple Dental Implants
How do you know whether single or full mouth dental implants are right for you? While your dentist will ultimately provide a custom treatment plan for your unique needs, there are some general truths that can guide your decision.
If you are missing multiple teeth in a row, full arch dental implants are a more efficient option. If you are missing only a single tooth or more than one tooth but in different spots, you might opt for single dental implants. However, single dental implants are often more expensive and come with longer recovery periods.
If you need full mouth dental implants, you would only need four to eight implants to support a bridge or denture as opposed to a single implant for each missing tooth.
Learning More About Dental Implants
You don’t have to suffer with missing teeth. Dental implants can restore the appearance and function of your smile, increasing your comfort and convenience.
Whether you are interested in single implants, full mouth dental implants, or aren’t quite sure – we are here for you.
Click here to contact us today and schedule a consultation to learn more about how dental implants could change your life.
