How Many Teeth Can Be Replaced with Dental Implants?

What Are Dental Implants?

They are small titanium metal posts that a dentist in Jackson, MI, uses to replace missing teeth. Ideally, dental implants are renowned for replacing a single tooth at a time, usually by replacing the tooth root. After that, the dentist will crown the implant with a dental crown.

However, modern dentistry has a provision for multiple tooth replacements with dental implants. Instead of replacing only one tooth, an implant dentist can tailor a treatment plan for full teeth replacement.

It would entail strategically placing between four and ten implants in your jawbone, then crowning them with dentures. In this case, you will not need a tooth implant for each tooth.

Instead, the few implants will become anchors for a denture that can replace all your teeth.

The Implant Installation Procedure

The procedure for dental implants is invasive because it entails surgery. Therefore, the initial step of such a treatment is numbing and sedation.

The dentist will numb your mouth with local anesthesia, making the procedure pain-free. Sedation dentistry comes in handy to overcome dental anxiety and help you remain calm throughout your surgery.

Once the numbing kicks in, the dentist will begin working on your treatment. The first step entails cutting open the gums to expose the bone tissue underneath.

The dentist then drills a hole in your jawbone to match the size of the dental implant. After positioning the implant in your jaw, the dentist will suture the gums to secure and hold the metal post.

After securing the dental implant and suturing the gums, the dentist will be ready to discharge you. Your mouth needs to heal and recover for about three to four months before undergoing any other dental work.

After some time, your dentist will have you back in the dental office for the crowning process.

How Can Dental Implants from Summit Pointe Dental Help?

Dental implants are renowned for offering a permanent solution to tooth loss. We have an incredible team of dental experts at Summit Pointe Dental experienced in handling all types of dental procedures, including implantation surgery.

Some of the vital benefits you receive from getting dental implants with us are the pre, during, and after-care services we offer. Our patients hardly feel unprepared to undergo surgery because of the guidance they receive from our dentists beforehand.

Some of the post-surgery tips we recommend to assure a smooth healing and recovery time are:

1. Eat soft foods only – as you heal, you will regain your ability to chew normally without soreness or discomfort. Still, opt for softer foods than hard ones, which may strain your jaw and teeth when chewing.
2. Regular dental visits – even as you heal, we encourage you to visit us for routine checkups. The checkups allow your dentist to evaluate the state of your implant wound as you heal.
3. Keep a clean mouth – oral hygiene is paramount to avoid infecting the implant wound.
4. Stay away from tobacco and alcohol – they only slow down your healing and increase inflammation in your mouth.
5. Take your medication – before you leave our offices, we prescribe certain medications to manage the pain and lower the swelling. Take the correct dosage of the medicine during your recovery time.
6. Keep in liaison with your attending dentist – you must keep your dentist updated on the progress of your wound. Mention any anomalies you may experience while asking as many questions as possible.

Why Do People Like Dental Implants?

If you are hesitant to try dental implants with our dental team, perhaps you need to understand the benefits of these dental restorations that make patients fond of them.

The benefits include:

1. Biocompatibility – although implants are metallic, the material is biocompatible. It makes them highly unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
2. They last many years – several patients have had their dental implants for a lifetime without needing retreatment.
3. They are versatile – as highlighted earlier, tooth implants can replace one or multiple, or even all of your teeth.
4. They are sturdy – tooth implants may not rival natural teeth’ strength, but they are the closest match.
5. They are aesthetically pleasing – they look and feel like natural teeth. Better yet, dental implants will improve your facial appearance by supporting the facial muscles for a youthful look.
6. They prevent bone loss – they keep the jawbone active as the titanium material integrates perfectly with natural bone tissue.