Multiple Implants in Balcatta

A dental implant can replace missing teeth. It serves as an artificial tooth root where a false tooth is attached. The firm attachment of the implant to the bone enables it to retain restorations like crowns, bridges, partial denture and even complete denture. With implants, patients no longer need to worry about slipping or moving dentures. They can have more naturally-looking restorations that give them more confidence to speak and smile.

If a patient is missing two or more teeth, multiple dental implants can be used as anchorage to replace them. Because the implant attaches firmly to the bone, it can support more than one tooth without attaching to the natural teeth. This way, the patient’s remaining natural teeth can be preserved.

Considering the number of missing teeth and the quality of the patient’s bone, the dentist will determine the number of implants needed to support the patient’s artificial teeth. Two dental implants can support up to four-tooth bridges. At the same time, four to eight implants are usually needed to support a complete denture.

Replacing multiple teeth with multiple implants does not mean that there should be the same number of implants to replace the same number of teeth. Implants can bear more load than an individual tooth. With proper treatment planning, your dentist will recommend the best number of implants that will be enough to replace your missing teeth. 

Your dentist will also assess if your jaw bone is enough to support the multiple implants you will need. If there is no sufficient bone, your dentist will recommend bone graft treatment to augment your bone structure. This will encourage bone growth so that there will be sufficient bone to support your implants.

Multiple dental implants offer several benefits over other alternative treatment options, such as increased durability and better retention. With multiple dental implants ,the firm attachment of implants to the bone prevents replacement teeth from becoming loose. Patients can speak and laugh without worrying about their dentures coming off. Aside from this, the stability restores the chewing ability of patients and makes them feel like they’re eating with natural teeth.

Multiple dental implants also help preserve the remaining natural teeth. Natural teeth no longer need to be trimmed and reduced to a smaller size because fixed bridges can be attached to implants rather than on natural teeth. This reduces the risk of damaging the natural teeth and preserves their natural structure.

Additionally, dental implants preserve the structure of the jawbone, and it is the only tooth replacement method that provides this benefit. Multiple dental implants prevent the shrinkage of bone, also called bone resorption, which is a noted effect whenever teeth are extracted. Considerable shrinkage of the jaw bone can cause facial changes and a shrunken face appearance. With dental implants, the resorption of bone is prevented, and the patient’s facial structure is preserved.

Dental implants depend on healthy bone for them to be successful. If the bone is not healthy, there will be no firm implant attachment to the bone. As a result, the dental implant can either become loose or cause further damage to the bone.

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, affects the jaw bone. In the case of natural teeth, gum diseases like periodontitis can cause bone loss leading to movement of the teeth whenever the patient bites or talks and tooth pain. These effects can also occur with multiple dental implants.

Gum disease increases the risk of implant failure, especially during the initial healing phase. It prevents the binding of the implant to the bone and causes the bone to shrink, leaving very minimal bone to where the implant can attach. This is why patients need to undergo a proper assessment before having dental implants. If a patient has gum disease, he must have it treated and controlled first before considering dental implants. Also, once the implants are in and the prosthesis is attached, the patient must follow a strict oral hygiene routine to prevent gum disease.

When considering multiple implant procedures, it is vital to be aware of the possible risks associated with them. The treatment process of dental implant placement requires surgery, and it is not without risks. 

Like other surgical procedures, there is a risk of infection, trauma or damage to other implants or the remaining teeth, trauma to blood vessels and nerves, sinus perforation, and implant failure. Nevertheless, with proper care and attention from an experienced dentist and a compliant patient, these risks can be minimised and managed well.

Patients with multiple implants must visit their dentist at least every three months. During the visit, the dentist will determine if the patient is following a strict oral hygiene routine. The dentist will also check if there are no gum tissue and bone changes around the implant. With close monitoring, the dentist will be able to see and address any implant complications that may occur.

Caring for your implants and maintaining your oral health are crucial factors in treatment success. Ways of taking care of dental implants are almost the same as natural teeth. Tooth brushing three times a day and flossing between the implant and the teeth are effective methods of removing food debris and plaque. The area around and under the implant must be cleaned well to avoid gum inflammation when brushing. Visiting your dentist every three months is also necessary so that your dentist can monitor your oral care routine and check for any gum tissue and bony changes occurring around the implant.

Dental implant treatment is a popular and effective option for replacing missing or damaged teeth. However, this procedure is considered expensive due to the cost of materials, complexity of the treatment, and labour involved in the process. 

The cost of dental implants depends on the number of teeth to be replaced and the number of implants needed to support it. However, despite being expensive, many people still consider dental implants to be a worthwhile investment due to their lasting durability, excellent aesthetic results, and overall cost-effectiveness over time. While other less expensive treatments may be available, dental implants are still chosen as an excellent and suitable treatment option.

Having multiple implants is one of the ways to replace missing teeth. Other alternative dental treatments include fixed bridges and removable partial dentures.

Fixed bridges are dental crowns connected to each other. They can be made of metal, porcelain or both, and it is used for patients with remaining healthy teeth. This dental treatment replaces teeth by anchoring itself to the teeth on either side of the space. These teeth are called abutment teeth, and for the bridge to fit them, they are trimmed or reduced to a smaller size.

 Fixed bridges are best used to replace only a few teeth. A long-span bridge that replaces more than two teeth is not advisable because doing so will traumatise the two abutment teeth, for they will be bearing the biting force that is supposed to be carried by numerous teeth. This occurrence can lead to loosening of the teeth and, eventually, tooth loss. For this reason, if a patient is missing more than two teeth, it is best to consider other teeth replacement options.

A removable partial denture is another dental procedure that aims to replace missing natural teeth. It is made of artificial teeth connected to a gum-coloured base that may or may not have a metal framework. Like a fixed bridge, removable partial denture anchors on remaining natural teeth with clasps to prevent them from slipping. However, unlike fixed bridges, it does not require trimming the teeth. The denture clasps go around the abutment teeth, preserving the natural tooth structure of real teeth. 

A removable partial denture is a good tooth replacement method. However, some patients do not prefer them due to their bulkiness, making it difficult for them to get used to eating and talking while wearing them. Some patients also complain of pressure pain when they bite.