Dental Implants for Two Missing Teeth


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If you are missing two adjacent teeth on the same jaw, then you might consider consulting with your dentist to get a dental implant replacing both teeth. Nevertheless, if the two missing teeth are not close nor on the same jaw, dental implants are still a feasible and desirable option which you might want to consider. If you are not exactly sure how a dental implant works, refer to the following section for further information on how two replace two missing or loose teeth.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is effectively a tiny replacement ‘root’ of your missing or loose tooth/teeth. This artificial ‘root’ is usually shaped  as a small screw or rod-like cylinder which is designed to easily support one or more artificial teeth. In order to place it, your dentist will perform a tiny incision so to expose the jawbone, he will then drill a small hole in it and place the desired implant. After a period of time, the jaw will fuse naturally with the implant in a process known as ossointegration. Ossointegration will usually take between 3 to 6 months depending on the resilience of your jaw. After the implant has fused firmly into the jaw, your dentist will then be able to fix an abutment which will hold in place the two artificial teeth you need.


Nevertheless, if you are unable to wait for the time allowed for ossointegration to occur, then you might consider a process known as ‘immediate loading’ where the abutments and restorations are fixed immediately after the implant is in place. However, this procedure is more costly and does not benefit from the high success rates that the classic ‘two stage’ system does.

The implant will usually be made out of a titanium alloy, and the precise composition will depend on the model you and your dentist choose together. It is also important to remember that dental implants are built with biocompatible materials which are designed to naturally fuse with your bone and gum and to look natural amongst your other teeth. Therefore, the risk of implant rejection or cosmetic unpleasantness is very low indeed, given that your dentist has suitable skill and experience

What kinds of implants can I get?

If you are placing one implant to replace two teeth, then there are a variety of implants to choose from. With over 150 dental implant manufacturers, you are assured to find the perfect solution for your dental problem, be it of a medical or cosmetic nature. The specific kind of implant will therefore be agreed upon by you and your dentist depending on factors such as: your palate conformation, the deepness, strength and width of your jaw, and also considering the budget you want to allocate to the treatment. The classic dental implant is the ‘Endosteal’ one (Root Form implant). This involves placing the selected implant directly into the jawbone, and it can hold one or several artificial teeth. After the implant has ossointegrated firmly, the surgeon will then fit a solid attachment (or abutment) to hold the tooth or teeth in place. This implant is very versatile and works best on patients with a wide and strong jawbone. Nevertheless, if you have a small jawbone you can still get the Endosteal implant by bone grafting.

Another commonly used implant is the Plate Form implant. As the name suggests, instead of using a screw of cylinder, a plate is inserted into the jawbone. The plate is in fact inserted through small incisions made in the gums which are then closed with tiny stitches. The attachments and crowns are then fitted accordingly.

However, if your jaw is not wide enough  and bone grafting is not an option (due to bone resorption or gum decay), then a Subperiosteal implant might be considered as it places a personalised lightweight framework underneath your gum tissue. The accuracy of this implant is ensured by CT scans, ‘impressions’ and even the latest computer aided implants. This implant acts as an anchoring mean for later restorations. As a consequence, it resembles a series of solid tooth roots. Therefore, the subperiosteal implant is a more costly option, and if this represents an issue, then a mini dental implant might be considered instead. This mini implant works well as a replacement for smaller teeth and, because of its size, does not require any bone grafting before insertion. This implant is also made out of titanium and works very well as a fixture for dentures

How much does a dental implant for two teeth cost?

Getting dental implants can be relatively expensive, that is why there are a multitude of dental insurances willing to foot the bill, and a vast amount of dental practices overseas which apparently charge a fraction of what would be charged in the UK.

If you are planning to support two artificial teeth with one dental implant, then it will cost you less compared to if you were only replacing one tooth. As a general rule in fact, it costs less to get an implant which replaces several teeth than a single one. A very rough estimate of costs in the UK breaks down as follows: initial check-up and consultation with x-rays and/or CT scan of around £50-£100, a root form implant between £1,000 – £3,000,  and a bone graft (if necessary) between £500 - £2,500. The costs of the restoration(s) then depend on the material used. These prices fluctuations are due to the fact that dental practices in some areas will charge more due to local rent and living standards. Prices also depend on the skill and reputation of the dentist, whether you are getting ‘immediate loading’, and what kind of implant you prefer.

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