Meta Description: If you are interested in learning more about implants, we will discuss all you need to know about materials, designs, and differences between the most common types.
Types of Dental Implants
There are many different types of dental implants, systems, and materials used to replace missing teeth. And here, we will answer all of your questions. If you want, you can always click to visit the website and learn more about procedures, and how it works. What matters is that dental implant materials are durable, and they can be a good replacement for your natural teeth.
Why Are Dental Implants Needed
Teeth implants are used to replace a missing tooth. Whatever the reason for tooth loss may be, a person might want to continue living their life normally. As if they never lost a tooth (or teeth). And one of the best options for tooth replacement is implants.
You can replace any number of teeth, and the new ones will act as natural ones would. As for the looks, they are almost identical to natural teeth, and it is possible to get custom teeth based on your jaw and the shape and color of your natural teeth.
While some people will opt for dentures, tooth implants are a more permanent solution. They look better, feel natural, and are quite durable. Many people prefer implants to dentures, and if they are a great long-term solution.
Types of Implants
But before you are ready to get implants, it is necessary to know which types are available. Generally speaking, there are three types you can opt for: endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic implants.
These categories are based on the installation process. Of course, you can also replace a single tooth with any type of implants, go for a dental bridge, or even replace all teeth in the jaw. It all comes down to the condition of the jaw and whether there are natural teeth in it.
Endosteal Implants
The first type we mentioned is an endosteal implant. These are the most common implants you will encounter, and they are considered to be the safest option. Many people will agree that this is the best type of dental implant. What is important here is that endosteal implants require a healthy jaw or bone. Since these implants are mounted directly into the jaw, it is necessary that they get the necessary support.
The idea behind these implants is quite simple. An implant dentist or oral surgeon will place screws in the jaw that will have the same purpose as natural roots. On top of them, they will put the implant, i.e., the part that will be visible when you smile. The process is simple, and you won’t need a lot of time to heal.
Of course, if you are suffering from bone loss, endosteal implants will require bone grafting. It is a process of replacing the missing part of the bone and promoting the healing of the tissue. Keep in mind that there are a few types of dental implant materials, but they are all durable and natural looking.
Subperiosteal Implants
Naturally, there are those who will dislike the idea of having screws in their jaw. That is why there are other versions available. Namely, subperiosteal implants don’t use screws and are instead placed under the gums on top of the bone.
The surgeon will place a metal frame under the gums, and it will be used as a foundation for implants. After the first part of the procedure is done, the gums will heal over the frame, and it will allow it to stay in place.
This is one of the best options if the jaw bone is damaged or if it doesn’t provide enough support for the implants.
Zygomatic Implants
The last of the three dental implant types is for those that have damaged bones making it impossible to go for endosteal implants. The idea behind it is to place the screws inside bone cheeks instead of jaws. The procedure is complex, and it isn’t as common as the other two. Of course, there are cases where zygomatic implants are the only viable solution.
Alternatives
Sometimes, a patient is forced to look for other options. Maybe the jaw isn’t strong enough to provide support, and zygomatic implants are out of the question. But that doesn’t mean that all is lost. There are still alternative solutions that can replace their teeth.
We already mentioned bone augmentation or bone grafting, a process of restoring a missing part of the bone — in this case, jaw. Once the body has healed, the patient will be able to explore one of the mentioned methods. You can then go for different types of mini dental implants or anything else that will give you a natural smile.
Furthermore, if more teeth are missing in a row, the dentist might go for implant-supported bridges. It is a simplified process of replacing several teeth in a row, and instead of having a screw for each individual tooth, the dentist will use screws for the first and last one in the row.
Finally, it is possible to replace all teeth at once using an implant-retained denture. The main difference compared to traditional dentures is that they are permanent. They are attached by screws or implants, and they won’t be able to slip or fall out. Of course, it is still possible to go for dentures (or partial dentures) instead. This is a good alternative for missing teeth.
However, dentures are not permanent, they can slip, and many people dislike the idea behind them.
What to Do
The first thing you will need to do if you are missing a tooth (or teeth) is to consult your dentist. As you could have seen earlier, some methods are not viable for all people. You will need to have strong healthy bones if you want traditional implants. So, the best course of action is to let your dentist determine your options. This will allow you to understand the situation and see what is best for your specific case.
Since there are numerous different treatment options and implant dentistry is advanced enough, you will need to know what you can do and what is the best choice. Once you schedule a meeting with your dentist, you will get the necessary info to make a decision and pick the best option to replace missing teeth.
