Double Tooth Implant
Dental implants have a long track record of success as a form of single tooth replacement technology. First introduced around 1960, dental implants have truly withstood the test of time, providing sound tooth replacement options for edentulous patients that have been proven to last for decades. As dental implants have been increasingly more widely used and understood, other uses for implants have been discovered and applied, including the use of dental implants to support more than a single prosthetic crown. Not only can dental implants support more than one crown, but they can in fact work together in a very small number to support an entire arch of prosthetic teeth, as well.
Dental Implants Explained
Composed of highly biocompatible materials – either titanium or zirconia – dental implants are traditionally composed of three small parts that all work together to create a full prosthetic replacement for missing teeth, whether one or many.
The main structural support piece of the dental implant is a small post called an implant fixture that is inserted into the jaw and stands in for the dental root that extends from the bottom of an organic tooth. Just like a dental root does, the implant fixture keeps the rest of the prosthesis it supports firmly rooted in place, practically immovable once it is installed. In order for this level of strength to be achieved, the implant fixture must be left in place below the gumline for two to four months so that it can completely merge with the bone in a process called osseointegration.
After implant fixture is firmly in place, it is capable of supporting a prosthetic crown that can withstand all the pressure of everyday eating and chewing. In fact, this tiny little piece provides so much support that it can support even more than a single tooth!
A connecting piece called an abutment is attached to the implant fixture once it has healed, at which point a prosthetic crown, implant-supported denture, or other customized replacement solution can be connected to the top of the abutment.
Supporting Numerous Prosthetics with One Dental Implant
While single dental implants traditionally hold only one prosthetic crown, there are indeed cases in which an implant can be designed to hold two or more prosthetic teeth. This might be preferred if there is not enough solid bone mass in the jaw to add dental implants in certain places, or if specific anatomical features of the mouth make it difficult to insert an implant fixture in a certain location.
Depending on how many teeth need to be replaced and how close together they are, your dentist might recommend the use of an implant-retained denture, which relies upon as few as four dental implants to support an entire arch of prosthetic teeth (for this reason these are sometimes referred to as “all on four” dentures). This can help limit the surgical sites, maximize areas of quality bone mass in the jaw, and provide the perfect solution with a minimal number of implants.
For more information about how multiple tooth implants could work for you, call our office today for a no-pressure consultation.