Losing teeth can be embarrassing, but it’s more common than you think. While people lose teeth due to an underlying condition, such as gum disease, you can also lose teeth due to injury, pregnancy, and more.
If you have a missing tooth, the dental implant procedure is a successful treatment option. Dental implants also come with many benefits, such as the decreased risk of caries, a very high success rate (97%), decreased sensitivity, and more.
But what if you lost multiple teeth? Can you still consider dental implants to fix missing teeth? Here’s what to do about multiple missing teeth and if dental implants are right for you.
What Are Multiple Tooth Replacements?
Multiple tooth replacements can restore missing teeth. Your dentist can use multiple different implants or one single implant on a dental bridge, called a multiple tooth-supported bridge, to replace an entire row of teeth. Dental implants, in general, are long-lasting, they feel like natural teeth, look the most realistic, and have low maintenance.
Before the procedure, your oral surgeon will examine your teeth and will choose the best implant type for your needs.
How Many Dental Implants Can I Get at Once?
This depends on you and your expected recovery. Most oral surgeons will prefer to replace missing teeth all at once, to ensure the situation doesn’t get more severe. Plus, replacing the teeth little by little may cause stress for the patient and can interfere with the healing process.
Are you concerned about pain? Don’t worry, your oral surgeon will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. However, after the procedure, you may feel some discomfort when the anesthetic fades due to receiving multiple implants.
The Benefits of Multiple Dental Implants
Dental implants are longer-lasting and more durable than other treatment options. As long as you care for them correctly, they will last for many years. Plus, dental implants are the most natural-looking option. They not only look like your real teeth but also feel like natural teeth. That’s because the implant replicates your natural tooth root.
Your oral surgeon will also custom fit your dental implants. There’s no need to modify your surrounding teeth.
Dental implants also offer various health benefits. Missing teeth can make eating difficult and can cause many bite issues. Some issues, such as bone loss and gum recession, are common with missing teeth. Dental implants can fill these gaps, preventing and correcting many of these problems.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
As you can see, an oral surgeon can treat your missing teeth with dental implants. But this doesn’t mean dental implants are the best procedure for you.
Your oral surgeon will determine if you’re a good candidate by looking at these factors:
- Healthy gums
- Good health
- Little oral surgery risks
After your oral surgeon determines you’re a good candidate, they will go through the entire process with you.
Get Dental Implants for Missing Teeth
Do you want dental implants for your missing teeth? You’ll want to find the right periodontist for you. If you’re based in St. Louis, Missouri, you can contact us for a consultation.
