Double Tooth Implant
If you are missing one or more of your natural teeth, you may be curious about replacement options that will work for your specific needs. Dental implants can provide a stable, natural-looking and natural-feeling replacement option for people who are missing natural teeth, and, in some cases, a single dental implant can support more than one dental crown, or just a few implants can support an entire arch of prosthetic teeth. While the traditional approach with dental implant restorations is to replace each missing tooth root with a dental implant, it may be possible to use fewer implants and arrive at similar benefits, so talk to your dentist about using fewer implants to support multiple dental restorations if you’re interested in learning more.
To understand how fewer implants can support multiple teeth, it’s helpful to understand how dental implants work. A dental implant is a tiny cylinder, usually made of titanium, that is implanted into the jawbone where the root of a natural tooth once was. Once the implant has been placed, it is given time to heal; as it heals, the implant fuses with the surrounding bone, creating a strong, permanent foundation for a dental restoration. Once the implant has healed, the gum tissue is lifted back to expose the top of the implant, and a prosthetic is affixed to an abutment at the top of the implant that supports the dental crown. When fewer implants are used to support multiple teeth, the process is similar, but the prosthetic that is attached to the implant or implants is a dental bridge that contains more than one replacement tooth.
Dentists may recommend using fewer implants to support multiple missing teeth if the jawbone lacks sufficient mass to support multiple implants, or if the bone mass is inconsistent throughout the jaw. Implants provide multiple advantages over removable dentures and fixed bridges. Unlike fixed bridges, dental implants don’t rely on the adjacent teeth for support, and unlike removable dentures, dental implants don’t damage the tissue that supports the denture. Dental implants also look and function like natural teeth and can be conveniently cared for the same way natural teeth are, unlike removable dentures that require special cleaning and maintenance procedures. Dental implants also help preserve the bone that surrounds and supports them, encouraging the growth of healthy bone and helping maintain the health of existing bone. When implants aren’t present, the bone can begin to deteriorate and lead to recession of the jawbone and a collapsed appearance in the lower face, and removable dentures can exacerbate this issue by placing disproportionate pressure on the bone. These are just a few of the reasons that multiple-tooth dental implants can be an excellent solution for people who want to replace multiple missing teeth and are looking for a natural, functional, comfortable option. If you are considering dental implants, you may need to address certain health issues, like gum disease or health conditions that adversely affect healing before treatment can begin, so set up an appointment with your dentist to get the ball rolling on your new and improved smile.