How Many Dental Implants Does It Take To Hold A Denture?

Dentures are excellent solutions for restoring your smile and bite function when missing several teeth. Traditional dentures are customized to rest over your natural gums and teeth. However, this achieves a less stable solution, often causing the denture to dislodge or fall out when speaking or eating.

Thanks to improvements in dentistry, you can now secure your denture with dental implants. Compared to traditional dentures, Implant-supported dentures offer more stability, aesthetics, and long-lasting results.

You might be curious about how many implants you may need for your treatment when considering implant-supported dentures. This article explores the various factors influencing the number of implants you might need for your implant-retained denture.

How Many Dental Implants Do You Need For Implant-Supported Dentures

Typically, implant-supported dentures in the lower jaw require at least 2 – 4 dental implants. The upper jaw requires at least 4 – 6 dental implants. Multiple dental implants aim to increase support, stability, and equal distribution of biting forces across the jawbone for better bite function, oral appearance, and long-lasting results. More implants translate to more stability and less risk of the denture slipping or moving when speaking or eating.

The dentist or surgeon will begin by examining your oral health and history and evaluate your goals and expectations to determine how many implants you need for your denture. Visit our dental office for dental implants near you.

Factors that influence the number of implants

The number of implants needed for implant-retained dentures includes:

• Jawbone health and density : The health and density of your jawbone play a crucial role in determining the number of implants needed. A weaker jawbone volume may need more dental implants. Sufficient jawbone density is necessary to provide enough support and stability for implants. If the jawbone is weakened or diseased, you can get a bone grafting procedure to improve the health and volume of your jawbone for successful implant placement. In this case, you may need fewer implants.
• Type of denture : The type of denture can influence the number of implants needed. When getting removable dentures, you typically need about 2 to 4 implants to secure the denture. Removable implant dentures have attachments that snap on implants strategically placed in the jawbone.

Alternatively, you can get fixed implant-supported dentures, also known as implant-supported bridges. Fixed implant-retained dentures require about 4 to 6 implants per arch, providing exceptional support and stability.

• Implant Angulation. How implants are placed can affect the number you need for your denture. Higher bone density allows the dentist to place implants strategically in the jawbone, potentially reducing the number of implants needed.
• Patient’s Oral Health. Patients with healthy teeth, gums, and jawbones can reduce the number of implants needed for implant-supported dentures. However, people with bruxism or poor bite may need additional implants for support and longevity.
• Patient’s Goals and Expectations. Patients’ functional and aesthetic needs can also influence the number of implants needed for implant dentures. Typically, two to four implants can provide enough support and stability. More implants provide additional support, strength, comfort, and a natural-looking appearance.

Advantages of Implant-Retained Dentures

Implant-supported dentures provide additional benefits over traditional dentures. These include:

• Improved stability : Implant-dentures are anchored to the jawbone with implants, offering excellent support and stability. Unlike traditional dentures, they won’t move or dislodge when speaking, sneezing, or eating.
• Increased comfort and confidence : Implant-supported dentures are securely anchored to dental implants, enhancing stability, appearance, and strength. It increases comfort and makes you feel confident about yourself, especially when speaking, smiling, and eating.
• Improved bite function : Implant-supported dentures provide excellent support and stability, restoring your natural bite function and greater force distribution, letting you enjoy a variety of foods.
• Preservation of the jawbone : Since implants act like artificial teeth roots, they stimulate the jawbone, preventing its deterioration.
• Improved facial support : Implant-retained dentures improve facial muscles, giving you a youthful appearance. It can help reduce sunken cheeks and wrinkles.
• Improved speech : Traditional dentures can affect your pronunciation or fall out or move when speaking, significantly affecting your communication. Implant-retained dentures are securely attached to the jawbone, allowing for more natural speech.
• Durability and longevity : The increased support and stability of implant-supported dentures improve their durability and longevity.

Visit our office for dental implants in Fort Atkinson

Are you considering implant-supported dentures? Contact Rock River Dental to book a consultation with our dentist near you.