Improving your smile by replacing missing teeth is always a wise decision. Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that replace missing ones, enhancing your smile and overall dental health. However, it is important to evaluate your oral health and determine the type of implant that will be most suitable for you before proceeding with the procedure.
While there are many reasons for a missing tooth, getting the right solution is crucial. Dental implants help restore bone loss that can occur when teeth are missing. It also inhibits shifting teeth, which can eventually cause malocclusion and pressure on your jaw joint.
Our dentists use four parameters called ABCD – age, bone volume, cosmetic need, and degree of resorption to analyze dental implant type and procedure. Understanding the types of dental implants available can be complex, so it’s important first to know what they are.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium screws that fuse with the jawbone and work as artificial tooth roots. An implant generally consists of three parts:
- The implant is a screw surgically inserted in the jawbone
- An abutment protrudes from the gum line and is attached to the implant screw
- A crown is placed on the abutment to support the dental structure
The implant procedure requires multiple visits to our office to ensure proper healing before moving ahead. There are three basic implants available:
Single tooth implant:
Single-tooth implants are the most common solution when only one missing tooth needs replacing. It contains a single implant inserted at the site, and crown placement happens once the healing is complete.
Dental bridge-supported implant:
When multiple teeth are missing in a row, the dentist opts for an implant to support a bridge. This involves placing a single implant within the jaw, but instead of a crown, a dental bridge is custom-made to fill the gap.
Denture-supported implant:
When most of the teeth are missing, denture-supported implants work best. Our dentist will place a few implants in your jaws and affix a denture to them. It’s a popular solution for seniors with many missing or no teeth and who want fixed dentures to enhance their smile.
Basic types of dental implants:
Endosteal implants:
The endosteal implant is the most commonly used. It’s an implant placed in your jaw and works and acts as an artificial root for the crown. The endosteal implant is available in three types – screw (thread), cylinder (smooth), and blade. A person needs to have a healthy jawbone to get an endosteal implant.
Subperiosteal implants:
When a jaw is not strong enough or has substantial bone loss, which dental procedures can’t restore, subperiosteal implants can help replace the missing tooth. These implants are placed on or above the jaw and protrude from the gumline to support the replacement crown.
Zygomatic implants:
Unlike traditional implants that use bone grafting and implants within the jaw, Zygomatic implants are new-age, graft-less implants. These implants are inserted in the cheekbones (Zygoma bone) to provide support. It is created especially for people with low bone quality and quantity of the jaw. Like other implants, zygomatic implants can last a lifetime with good care.
Mini dental implant (MDI):
This is similar to regular implants but relatively small. Unlike traditional implants with three parts, MDI is a single piece with a reduced diameter of the screw with a ball bearing on top for the crown to sit on.
All-on-4 implant:
A modern approach to denture implants, all-on-4 implants consist of placing four implants in each jaw. This ensures less pressure on the jaw and fewer implants to support the denture.
Sometimes, along with dental implants, there can be a need for other procedures that the dentist would include depending on the diagnosis from various scans. Our dentist may need to perform bone augmentation, sinus lift, ridge expansion, immediate load implants, and more.
If you think dental implants are the right solution to your tooth replacement needs, consider our team of professionals for safe and effective treatment. Comfort Dental Spa understands your dental health and how important your smile is. Contact us for a complete diagnosis today.