Are you considering getting dental implants to restore your smile? Dental implants are a modern, permanent, and long-term solution to missing teeth. Unlike dentures or dental bridges, dental implants provide a stable and durable option that looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.
Dental implants offer a life-changing improvement to your appearance, oral health, and quality of life. WIth that, they can truly be a worthwhile investment. But did you know that dental implants come in various types? Depending on your specific needs, there are different options available to help you regain your smile with dental implants.
Whether you need a single tooth replacement or a full arch restoration, understanding your options will help you make an informed decision. Read along to know more.
Single Implants vs. Multiple Implants
When considering dental implants, one of the first criteria for deciding what type of implants you should go for is whether you need a single-tooth, multiple-tooth, or full-mouth implant. Each type serves a specific purpose, depending on the extent of tooth loss and the condition of your oral health.
Single-Tooth Implant
This type of implant is designed to replace one missing tooth. It consists of a single titanium post embedded surgically into the jawbone. Then, a dental crown is attached to the post to complete your smile. The crown is made to blend seamlessly with the rest of your teeth for a natural look.
Compared to a traditional dental bridge or a flipper denture, a single tooth implant is a more conservative and long-lasting solution for patients who are missing only one tooth.
Multiple-Tooth Implant
If you are missing several teeth across your jaw, a multiple-tooth implant is the ideal choice. It offers excellent stability without the need to rely on neighbouring teeth, which is a factor for other alternatives such as a bridge. With this treatment, several implants are strategically placed where there are gaps, and then a bridge or a denture is attached to it, depending on the number of missing teeth.
Multiple-tooth implants are recommended for filling larger areas of missing teeth while still preserving the remaining natural, healthy teeth.
Full-Mouth Implant
For patients who have lost or most of their teeth, full-mouth implants or full-arch restorations, are the most effective solution. As few as four implants are placed across the jawbone to support a full prosthetic denture.
Full-mouth implants effectively prevent bone loss to provide a more stable and comfortable fit to your dentures. This creates a permanent solution that allows you to eat, speak, and smile with full confidence.
Basic Types of Implants
Aside from the number of missing teeth to be replaced, another factor to consider is the amount of healthy bone, your bone density, and your oral health condition. This brings us to the two primary types of dental implants:
Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant and are used when there is enough healthy jawbone to support a single- or full-implant set. These implants follow the traditional implant surgery in which the required implants are surgically placed directly into the jawbone, then allowed to heal and fuse with the bone. Eventually, they will act as the prosthetic tooth root that can hold a crown, bridge, or denture securely.
Endosteal implants are ideal for most patients as they offer excellent stability and a natural appearance. However, they require sufficient bone density for successful placement. If you have bone loss, your dentist may recommend getting a bone graft to restore the health of the bone and make it sufficient to receive the implant.
Subperiosteal Implants
If you have bone loss and a bone graft is not ideal or if you do not have sufficient healthy one, subperiosteal implants are an excellent alternative. Instead of being placed into the jawbone, a metal framework is positioned under the gum but above the jawbone. This framework will latch on the bone, using it as support to hold the prosthetic teeth in place.
While subperiosteal implants are less common, it is a viable option for patients to receive the benefits of dental implants even with significant bone loss.
Other Procedures You May Have With Implants
In some cases, additional procedures may be required to prepare the mouth for successful implant treatment. These ensure the oral health is in optimal condition, with enough bone and gum tissue to support the implants:
- Bone Augmentation involves adding bone material to the jawbone to strengthen and enlarge it. This is recommended if there is insufficient bone density.
- Sinus Lift is necessary if the sinus area is too close to the jaw. The procedure adds bone to the upper jaw, around the area of the back teeth, lifting the sinus and preventing the implant procedure from exposing it.
- Ridge Expansion widens the jawbone to make it more supportive for the implants.
- Extraction and Ridge Preservation prevent bone loss after extracting the necessary teeth. It involves placing bone graft material immediately in the extraction socket to preserve the ridge, making it ideal for future implant placement.
A Variety of Implant Options
As dental implant technology continues to evolve, patients now have more options beyond traditional implants.
Mini Dental Implants are smaller than traditional dental implants. They are recommended if there isn’t enough bone to hold a full-sized implant. They offer a more conservative and quicker solution for replacing small teeth.
Immediate-Load Dental Implants allow for a temporary tooth to be placed on the same day the implant is inserted. This allows you to leave the office with a complete set of functional teeth while waiting for the implants to heal with the bone.
All-On-4 Dental Implants is a revolutionary approach to full arch reconstruction. It uses four dental implants strategically placed in the jawbone to support a full set of teeth. It is a less invasive option that offers immediate and natural-looking results.
Dental Implants at Chinook Dental Group
At Chinook Dental Group, we specialize in advanced oral surgery procedures, providing comprehensive implant treatments to our patients. From single-tooth implants to full-mouth restorations, our experienced team is ready to help you. We also offer additional procedures such as bone grafting and ridge preservation to ensure the long-term success of your dental implants.
If you are considering dental implants, trust our experts at Chinook Dental Group to provide you with the highest level of care, tailored to your individual needs. Book your consultation with us today and let us help you get started with transforming your smile!
