How Many Dental Implants Will I Need to Secure My Dentures?
Implant dentures can be a powerful upgrade from traditional dentures for a multitude of reasons, some of which may include a more comfortable fit in the mouth and the ability to stay anchored securely in place. This restorative treatment uses dental implants to affix custom-made dentures to the gumline, eliminating the hassle of pastes and adhesives while still allowing the dentures to remain removable. Many patients who have lost most or all of their teeth, but still retain underlying bone density, can rehabilitate their entire smile with implant dentures.
Generally speaking, anywhere from two to eight implants may be used to support your denture and replace a single row of teeth. The exact number of implants necessary to restore an upper or lower dental arch may vary from patient-to-patient depending on the amount of existing bone volume available to support the implants. In some cases, our Fair Lawn dentists can replace an entire row of missing teeth using the All-on-4® approach, a cutting-edge prosthodontic technique that requires only four dental implants to secure a denture. The implants are positioned at very precise angles, in such a way that their ability to effectively anchor a prosthesis is maximized. This method can decrease the potential need for a bone graft and shorten the duration of the overall treatment period. For certain patients, six implants may be utilized to adequately affix the denture, with this technique aptly referred to as All-on-6.
Before treatment, an x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan of your mouth will be taken to assess the state of your oral structures and determine how many dental implants will be necessary to secure your denture(s). It is usually the case that the longer the teeth have been missing, the more bone loss is experienced in the affected area. Nevertheless, our dentists will fully inform you of what you can expect from your implant dentures treatment plan at the time of consultation.
If you have any questions about implant dentures, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our practice today.
