Single Tooth or Full Arch Implants – Which is Right for Me?

We know that a great smile can make a huge difference to the way you feel, and at Dentist Old Market we are committed to helping you find confidence through your smile. Having missing teeth can not only knock your confidence, as well as affect the way you eat and speak. At our practice based in Bristol city centre, we offer a range of dental implants to suit your needs.

It can be difficult to know what type of dental implants would be best to replace any missing teeth. At the Dentists Old Market, we have created a guide to the types of dental implants and when they would be needed in treatment.

What Are Dental Implants?

A Dental implant is a replacement of a tooth root, made up of a titanium screw that is inserted directly into your jawbone. This implant then supports a prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, or denture that is fitted on top to create a ‘new tooth’ above the gumline. 

 

Very popular as a long-term solution to missing teeth, dental implants provide a strong and stable replacement that acts very much like a natural tooth.

 

Find out everything you need to know about the dental implant procedure in our previous blog post.

Single Tooth Implants

A single implant is used in situations where patients only have one missing tooth or multiple instances where there are individual teeth missing.

 

Made up of one titanium screw inserted into the jawbone and a singular prosthetic, dental implants are an ideal way of replacing singular teeth. Implants also offer much more support and flexibility than a traditional denture bridge used to replace one tooth.

 

Multiple Tooth Implants

There are different ways that implants can be used to replace multiple missing teeth. The first is to use a singular implant to replace each missing tooth individually, however, this can be very expensive and often isn’t necessary for treatment. 

 

The most popular type of implant for replacing multiple missing teeth is an implant-supported bridge. This is very similar to a traditional bridge, although instead it is supported by an implant instead of natural teeth. 

Full Arch Implants

Full arch implants are used when a patient loses all of their upper or lower teeth. Replacements for a full arch of teeth are typically made up of 4-6 implants per row of teeth, providing multiple implant-supported bridges.  

Receiving this treatment allows patients to build their confidence, and creates a natural-looking smile allowing them to laugh and eat freely.

 

Denture Stabilisation Implants

Already have dentures but struggle with the worry that they will fall out? Through dentistry advances, we can now fix your dental implants to your jaw. This treatment known as denture stabilisation offers patients a more permanent solution, and can significantly improve the hold of your dentures.

With denture stabilisation, you can be free to talk and eat with no worries of your dentures coming loose or falling out of your mouth. 

 

What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?

So why do so many people choose dental implants, and what advantages do they have over other tooth replacements?

A Discreet Solution to Missing Teeth

The main advantage of dental implants is that they look just like your natural teeth. They are designed to match your existing teeth, specifically tailored to reflect the colour and shape so that they do not look out of place. 

Restores Function to Your Teeth

As well as restoring the look of your teeth, dental implants also restore the function of your teeth overall. Missing teeth can make it harder to eat the foods you love or even make it harder to talk which can provide embarrassment. 

Dental Implants Are a Long Term Solution

Another advantage of dental implants is that they are a long-term solution that can last a lifetime if taken care of correctly. They also eliminate the need for worry about removal or loss often present when wearing dentures as they are permanently fixed. 

 

Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss

When you have lost a tooth, there is also a chance that you will also lose the bone density around your teeth. In our mouths, there is a bone called the alveolar bone that surrounds our teeth and provides them with support. However, this bone only keeps its function with stimulation from the teeth. 

 

If the teeth are lost, this bone can start to lose its density. This can result in the loss of function and strength of this bone and a change in facial appearance. When a missing tooth is replaced by an implant, it stimulates the bone in the same way natural teeth do. This helps to prevent the loss of bone density and the effects it can have on the mouth. 

 

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

In the UK, the average cost of a single dental implant is up to £2500. At the Dentists Old Market, our single dental implants start from £2300.

 

However, we also offer our Practice Plan that helps make treatment more affordable. Benefits of our Practise Plan include 20% off all treatments and regular appointments included for as little as £17.70 per month. 

 

How Do You Care For Dental Implants?

How long your dental implant lasts depends on your overall care and maintenance of your teeth and implant. The most common causes of the loss of an implant include the implant root dislodging from the jaw, or the breakage of the artificial crown or bridge on top. 

 

The main way to prevent the implant from coming loose in the jaw is to prevent gum disease and avoid the breakdown of the gum surrounding the implant. This is also the leading cause of the loss of natural teeth, however, implanted teeth are more likely to fall out as a result of gum disease. This makes it very important to be effective and consistent with your oral health routine. 

 

Gum disease can be difficult to recognise, so if you experience any of the common symptoms including bleeding gums, receding gum line, or sore gums, contact your dental professional as soon as possible.

 

To prevent the breakage of the crown prosthetic, take similar precautions to those you would normally with your natural teeth. For example, not eating overly hard foods, managing tooth grinding, and minimising overall trauma to the mouth and teeth. 

 

Get in Touch With Us Today

Considering dental implants but have some more questions about treatment? Visit our FAQ page to view our most commonly asked questions at the dental practice. 

 

Alternatively, you can get in touch with our friendly and professional team today and they will be happy to answer any queries you may have.