“How many teeth can an implant hold?”
I am a 40 year old female. I want to know how many teeth can an implant hold?
10 Answers
It's tough to answer this question without evaluating the bone condition and the size of implant used. Usually, an implant holds one tooth. There are situations when we can do an implant bridge, 2 Implants holding three crowns (teeth). The diagnosis can be done using X-rays and CT scans.
A unit implant holds a single unit crown.
Ideally, you want one implant to hold one tooth, but there are situations where you can place one implant and have two teeth/crowns attached to it. But generally speaking, the rule with implants should be one for one: one implant crown attached to one implant.
It depends on the situation but typically 1 implant will hold 1 tooth, sometimes 2. However, as you get into more teeth and dentures, fewer implants can hold more teeth. For example, 2 implants can hold 3-4 teeth. And often we can make 4 implants hold a full arch or 12-14 teeth.
Depending on the size of the implant but you want direct vertical forces down on the long axis of the implant- so ideally one implant per tooth. You can have two implants to support 3 teeth- such as an implant beisge
There are times that we do a single tooth implant. There are also times that we do an “All on 4”. That is when we attach an entire upper or lower bridge , attached to four implants!
This depends on the location and size of the teeth that the implant is holding. Ultimately, this is something you need to discuss with your general dentist so they can create a treatment plan accordingly.
If you have one implant, it should only hold one tooth if it's a crown. But, there is something called fixed hybrid denture and you can place about 5-6 implants or so and be able to restore the full arch.
It’s recommended that one implant per missing teeth, but all on 4 is a hybrid denture which needs four implants for 10-12 teeth
Hello,
This is such a great question that is often overlooked! Ideally, one implant supports one tooth. This is what is done about 90-95% of the time. This situation has a nice high success rate (which is an important factor) over 90%. However, in the other 5-10% one implant will support two teeth. This depends on which teeth the implant is supporting. Usually, the implant will support a tooth and the second tooth will hang off the side of that tooth (cantilever system). This only works if the second tooth is smaller then the first tooth. It is not a good idea as it weakens the implant because the forces pull it to the side. Sometimes due to the shape and amount of bone available this is the only option. Finally, when a full arch is being reconstructed with implants between 10 and 14 teeth are replaced on 4-6 implants. Other than extreme cases, this is really the only time multiple teeth are supported by one implant. I hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Deluxe Dental Group
This is such a great question that is often overlooked! Ideally, one implant supports one tooth. This is what is done about 90-95% of the time. This situation has a nice high success rate (which is an important factor) over 90%. However, in the other 5-10% one implant will support two teeth. This depends on which teeth the implant is supporting. Usually, the implant will support a tooth and the second tooth will hang off the side of that tooth (cantilever system). This only works if the second tooth is smaller then the first tooth. It is not a good idea as it weakens the implant because the forces pull it to the side. Sometimes due to the shape and amount of bone available this is the only option. Finally, when a full arch is being reconstructed with implants between 10 and 14 teeth are replaced on 4-6 implants. Other than extreme cases, this is really the only time multiple teeth are supported by one implant. I hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Deluxe Dental Group
