How Many Implants Are Needed for a Complete Set of Teeth?
If you are tired of your dentures constantly shifting or slipping in your mouth, making talking and eating difficult, you might consider getting implants. Because they are firmly held in position inside the jawbone, there is no need to worry about slippages. Are you looking to have dental implants near you? Our dentist at View Mobile Dental in Dublin, CA, will help you with all your dental implant needs. However, the question is, how many dental implants will be required to support a complete set of teeth? This article discusses this particular subject in detail.
Choosing Full-Mouth Dental Implants
If you need a full-mouth implant set, there are several options you can choose from. You could select 2-8 implants. The number of teeth needed for a full-mount implant restoration will depend on:
- Location of the jaw being treated
- Amount of bone in your jaws
- Your musculature and chewing system
- Nature of the prosthesis (whether it is removable or fixed)
Location on the Jaw
While you may not know it, your jaws aren’t similar. Your upper jaw bone is much softer than the lower jaw bone. You can equate this softness to softwood or Styrofoam. For this reason, your dentist may have to place more implants for a stable long-term result. This jaw also has large sinuses. Sinuses are air-filled spaces in the bone where implants can’t be placed. When you lose your teeth, the sinuses expand, making it hard to place implants. When handling patients that need an entire arch of teeth, our dentist in Pleasanton will try to avoid sinus surgery. Instead, they will put the implants around the sinus.
Because of the upper jaw’s softer bone, you will require a minimum of 4 implants for a full teeth set. The lower jaw, on the other hand, has a dense bone. Due to this, you can place fewer implants and still obtain a stable result. For removable implants, your dentist can place as few as 2 implants at the front.
Amount of Bone in Your Jaws
The deeper your dental implant goes into your jaw, the more stable it will be. Therefore, your dentist will put in longer, wider implants for the stability of your teeth. When you have abundant bone, the dentist may place 4 implants in the lower jaw and 4 in the upper jaw for a fixed option. However, when there is scanty bone, they may need to place more implants as they will have to use the shorter ones. The more implants placed, the more costs you will incur for the procedure.
Your Musculature and Chewing System
Another factor that affects the number of implants to be placed in the mouth is the patient’s chewing system. If you have strong jaw muscles and also grind your teeth, you might need more implants. The extra implants will serve to over-engineer your prosthesis to reduce the risk of breakages.
On the other hand, an older patient with a more diminutive stature that doesn’t grind their teeth will require fewer implants.
Nature of the Prosthesis
Different patients have different needs and personal preferences. Some may prefer fixed implants that look and feel like natural teeth, but these could pause a challenge during cleaning. Others prefer something removable that they can snap in and out and is easy to clean. Your dentist can place as few as 2 implants on your lower jaw for the removable option, while your upper jaw may need around 4-8 implants.
In the upper jaw, the least number of implants needed for both removable and fixed options is 4, knowing that this area has a softer bone. The minimum for your upper jaw is 4 dental implants, and the maximum is set at 8.
Dental Implant Aftercare
After having dental implants in Dublin, it is essential that you take good care of them to maintain longevity. Here are tips to consider when caring for your implants:
- Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching the surfaces of your implants
- Avoid abrasive products as they could cause discomfort. Instead, opt for gentler products
- Floss once daily
- Avoid sticky foods as they could damage your implants
- Limit your alcohol and tobacco intake
Getting Dental Implants Near You
Depending on your needs and preferences, our dentist near you will help tailor a tooth set that best works for you. Are you looking for a reputable dentistry practice for dental implants in Dublin, CA? Call us today and book your appointment. Our professional experts are here to accord you top-tier dental services.