The different dental implant types serve as replacements for a missing tooth’s root. This “artificial tooth root” then holds a replacement tooth or bridge in place.
A dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to a natural tooth because it stands on its own without affecting neighboring teeth and has excellent durability.
The process of fusion between a dental implant and the jawbone is known as “osseointegration.” The majority of dental implants are titanium, which allows them to integrate with bone without being recognized as a foreign object in our bodies.
What types of dentists are there who specialize in dental implants?
Any licensed dentist can perform implant surgery as long as the treatment adheres to the standard of care and is in the best interests of the patient.
However, because implants are surgically implanted in the jawbone, dental specialists who routinely perform surgery within the jawbone are an obvious choice for implant surgery.
Oral maxillofacial surgeons (oral surgeons) treat all hard and soft-tissue diseases and defects, including Tooth extraction and jaw surgery
Dental Implants last how long?
The implant screw itself can last a lifetime with regular brushing and flossing, assuming the patient has regular dental check-ups every 6 months. The crown, on the other hand, usually only lasts about 10 to 15 years before it needs to be replaced due to wear and tear.
Maintaining good dental hygiene and using it sparingly, on the other hand, could extend the life of the crown beyond 15 years.
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Overview of the Different Types of Dental Implants
Technology and science have advanced over time to significantly improve the outcomes of dental implant placement.
Dental implants now have a success rate of nearly 98 percent. let’s take a look at the different Dental Implant Types.
Endosseous (Endosteal) Implants
The most common type of dental implant is endosteal. They are occasionally used in place of a bridge or removable denture. Endosteal implants can be screwed (threaded), cylindered (smooth), or bladed. Your prosthodontist can advise you on the best type of dental implant for you.
Endosteal implants are the safest, most effective, and widely used option today. Endosteal implants begin by drilling into the jawbone and inserting a titanium screw that serves as an artificial root.
You must wait for the soft tissue and bone around the root to heal before proceeding with the treatment. This is usually a couple of months.
Endosteal implants are well known for producing the most stable, natural-feeling results.
An endosteal implant is installed by screwing it into the jawbone, which requires adequate jawbone health and density.
If you have a naturally narrow jawbone ridge or one that is short, narrowed, and worn down as a result of trauma or disease, you may not have enough bone to support an endosteal implant properly. A subperiosteal implant may be an option in this case.
Subperiosteal Implant
Subperiosteal implants are rarely used nowadays. They were previously used primarily to keep dentures in place in patients with insufficient bone height.
Subperiosteal implants are placed on the jawbone within the gum tissue, with the metal implant post visible through the gums to hold the denture in place.
Treatment: The overall treatment process for subperiosteal implants is completed in two appointments and is frequently a much shorter treatment plan than for endosteal implants.
Stability: Because the implant does not go into the jawbone but rather rests on top of the bone and is held in place by only one screw, subperiosteal implants do not have the same level of stability.
Zygomatic implants
They are the least common type of dental implant that you can get. It is the most difficult procedure and should be performed only if you do not have enough jawbone for the Endosteal implant. Instead of the jawbone, the implant is placed in the patient’s cheekbone.
Various Dental Implant Methods
Depending on the strength of your jawbone and your specific situation, there may be implant alternatives that work well.
These types of dental implants can be used instead of or in addition to traditional types. The following are examples of common dental implant methods:
Immediate Load Dental Implants (also referred to as Teeth in a Day):
Immediate load implants allow you to leave your appointment with a full set of teeth rather than the usual healing time.
The teeth you receive at first are only temporary until the implant heals and you have enough healthy bone contact to support a permanent prosthetic. This can be an excellent way to restore your smile as soon as possible.
All-on-4 (or 5 or 6)
This is a great option for people who have lost most or all of their teeth due to decay or gum disease.
It enables you to place implants without the need for bone grafting by using a set of temporary teeth that are placed the same day or very soon after.
Single tooth implants are ideal for people who only have one or two teeth or a few teeth are missing
A single implant can bridge the gap, resulting in a seamless appearance and perfectly functioning teeth.
Multiple Implants
If you have several missing teeth that are causing larger gaps but do not require a full mouth replacement, you can use multiple implants in only the areas where there are large gaps.
Two-Stage Dental Implants
This is the standard procedure for the above-mentioned dental implants. The first day consists of a surgical procedure to insert the implant into the jawbone.
Minor surgery is performed several months later to attach an abutment and tooth (crown).
Single-Stage Implants
These are similar to two-stage implants, but the implant healing cap remains visible, allowing the abutment and temporary restoration to be attached without surgery to make the head visible (top of the implant).
Mini Implants
These are small or narrow-diameter implants that can be used to stabilize a lower denture using less-invasive techniques. Mini implants can prevent a lower denture from “floating” or shifting on its own.
It is critical that the top of the mini implant be properly positioned so that there is enough space for your denture!
The opportunity to place replacement teeth where they belong for your smile should not be squandered by mini implants that are too tall or poorly positioned, nor should the denture base holding the teeth be too thin or too thick in critical places!
Materials Used in Dental Implants
The first requirement for dental implant materials is that they be long-lasting as well as powerful. The physical property should be compatible with the strength of the dental implant materials and their design.
Titanium and zirconia are the most common dental implant materials, each with its own set of advantages.
Titanium
For many years, titanium has been regarded as the most popular type of dental implant material.
Researchers discovered that titanium metal implants help the bone grow properly because when they are in contact with the bone and are not disturbed, the bone grows next to them. This contributes to the development of a long-term bond.
Titanium dental implants have been the most popular implants because they provide long-lasting results at an affordable price.
Zirconia
In comparison to titanium, zirconia is a relatively new innovation that is regarded as having a very promising future in dental implant materials.
The use of Zirconia implants for full abutment was seen in the early 1990s, but titanium implant materials were still popular at the time. In 2003, the first all-in-one crown made of dental implant materials was introduced. Despite being relatively new, zirconia dental implant materials are gaining popularity.
Other dental implant materials
Abutment: The abutment attaches to the implant and holds the crown in place.
Crown: A crown is a ceramic false tooth that sits atop the abutment and mimics the appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions about dental implant types
Here are the best answers to the questions most people have been asking about the types of dental implants.
What is the purpose of a dental implant?
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all teeth. In dentistry, the goal of tooth replacement is to restore function as well as aesthetics.
What is the cost of a dental implant?
The cost of a single dental implant varies depending on where you live and who performs the procedure. The conservative cost estimate for a single dental implant is $3,500-$4,500.
This price includes the surgery for implant placement, all components, and the implant crown.
Are Dental Implants Covered by Insurance?
Dental implant placement is typically not covered by insurance. Some dental insurance policies may cover the implant crown portion of the procedure.
Unfortunately, dental insurance often considers dental implants to be an elective procedure, despite the fact that they have become the standard of care for replacing missing teeth.
Dental implants have become a popular tooth replacement option due to their conservative approach and predictable results, with success rates approaching 98 percent.
What are the risks, complications, and issues associated with a dental implant?
There are always risks and potential complications with any surgery.
Careful planning is important to ensure that a patient is healthy enough to undergo oral surgery and heal properly.
Just like any oral surgery procedure, bleeding disorders, infections, allergies, existing medical conditions, and medications need careful review prior to proceeding with treatment.
Is dental implant surgery a painful procedure?
Dental implant surgery is typically performed under local anesthetic, so there should be no pain during the procedure.
After the local anesthetic has worn off, each patient’s post-surgery discomfort will be unique.
However, most people will experience post-surgery discomfort similar to that of tooth extraction.
To help reduce swelling, a cold ice pack is applied to the skin over the surgical site immediately after treatment.
What kind of aftercare is required after getting a dental implant?
Dental implants are susceptible to a condition known as “peri-implantitis,” which is similar to periodontal (gum) disease in natural teeth. Inflammation of the gums and bone surrounding the implant is referred to as this.
Excessive biting forces on the implant or bacterial infection are common causes of inflammation of the surrounding tissues.
What causes dental implants to fail?
When properly cared for, dental implants provide a long-term replacement for missing or damaged teeth, but there are a number of conditions or situations that can cause an implant to fail prematurely.
Patients with diabetes or other pre-existing medical conditions, such as cancer, are more likely to have their implant fail.
In dental implants, as previously stated, as the gums and neighboring teeth are still vulnerable, regular brushing and flossing are required.
Gum disease can be caused by poor oral hygiene, which can also have a negative impact on the success of a dental implant.
Conclusion
We all want a lovely smile, don’t we? As a result, we recommend that you consider dental implants to replace missing adult teeth.
Both of the above implant types are viable options. Although endosteal implants are best suited for the majority of patients, subperiosteal implants may provide exceptional results for others. However, your dentist is in a better position to choose the right implant for you.
Most importantly, consult with your dentist. Their advice will help you make the best decision for your mouth and lifestyle.
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Dr. Chukwuebuka is a sports nutirionist. Learn more on his bio.
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