How Many Screws Are Used for a Dental Implant?

One increasingly popular method to replace teeth that have been lost or decayed or damaged to the point of needing extraction is a dental implant. This procedure allows for a replacement tooth or teeth that look and function virtually identically to real teeth. Patients considering this procedure may wonder how many screws they will need implanted to get a functional replacement.

The number of screws for dental implants

A dental implant consists of several different parts. The bottom part is essentially a screw, usually made of titanium or a hypoallergenic alloy, that is inserted into the jawbone. There it fuses with the bone over time, allowing it to act like a replacement tooth root. An abutment is fixed on top of this screw, which connects to the visible tooth replacement in the mouth. Different dental implant procedures may require different numbers of screws.

One-to-one replacement

Dental implants typically require one screw per missing tooth. In most instances, a patient with one or two missing teeth will require that exact same number of screw-like implants. Crowns placed on top of these implants then act as replacement teeth.

Multiple tooth replacement

If a patient is missing a few teeth together, a couple of implants can be placed to support a bridge. Using implants has an advantage over attaching a bridge to existing teeth because it does not require capping healthy teeth.

Full arch replacement

Although most of the time a dentist will use one dental implant screw per missing tooth, there are situations in which an entire arch of teeth needs to be replaced. In these scenarios, there are options in which only a few dental implant screws are required, rather than placing an implant for every single tooth. This means less stress on the gums as well as the jawbone. 

Full arch replacement on the upper or lower arches can be done through four to six carefully placed dental implants. The implants are then used to secure another oral prosthetic appliance such as dentures. The dentures rely on the evenly placed dental implant screws so that they do not slide around. Some implant-supported dentures may be removable and require the patient's regular care and nightly cleaning the same as standard models of dentures. Others are fastened permanently in place and may only be removed by a dentist.

When a patient has an entire arch of missing teeth, it is recommended to consult with a dentist about dental implant options. Implant-supported dentures may be a great option to consider because not as many screws may be required to fully support the denture. Implants also give the jawbone stimulation that regular dentures cannot provide, helping to preserve the bone.

Get started with dental implants today

Any questions or concerns regarding dental implants to replace teeth should be addressed by a dental professional. Dental implant placement can significantly improve your smile and functionality, so reach out today to help get you started.

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