Common Types Of Dental Implants

Are you considering dental implants? If so, you’re not alone – implants are one of the most popular procedures in dentistry. But what are they, and what are the different types of options you can avail?

This blog post will give you a brief introduction to dental implants and the various types you can try so you can make a wise choice.

What Are Dental Implants?

Surgical dental implants are made of pure titanium. They are quite small and are implanted into the bone behind the gums to function as tooth roots. They are adaptable to every type of loss of teeth and can be easily tailored to your specific needs.

Now that you have a better knowledge of what they are, let’s discuss the many options available to you.

Different Types Of Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the most popular options for tooth replacement, and for all the right reasons. Implants offer a number of benefits over other methods, such as dentures or bridges. They are more comfortable and natural-looking, and they also help to preserve the health of the surrounding teeth.

Endosteal and subperiosteal implants account for the vast majority of dental implant procedures that people undergo. Wondering how they are different? The way they are linked to your jawbone is the primary distinction. Now, let’s delve into the most common dental implants that people choose for tooth replacement.

1. Endosteal Implants

The majority of dental implants today are endosteal implants. While they work well for the majority of patients, they need a strong, robust jaw for the post to attach to. These are only stand-in posts with screw-like shapes. The artificial teeth are then placed onto the implant that is placed in the jaw.

After the treatment is over, it will take some time for the patient to heal. It takes a while for everything to come together and form a sturdy fortification. After the wound has healed, the artificial teeth can be attached to the post so that they seem natural beside the natural teeth.

If the thought of having something surgically implanted into your jaw bothers you, you might feel more comfortable with the second most frequent type of implant that we are going to discuss next.

2. Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal Implants are an additional category of dental implants. This is the best alternative that can be used instead of endosteal implants.

Subperiosteal implants, in contrast to traditional dental implants, do not get permanently embedded into the jawbone. Rather, they lie on top of the bone while remaining hidden behind the gum.

Under the gum, a post is fastened to a metal frame that has been positioned underneath it. The gum eventually repairs itself all the way around the frame, securing it firmly in place. The poles that emerge from the gum serve as attachment points for the fake teeth.

If the person does not have sufficient jawbone for an implant to be placed, or if the individual just doesn’t want to engage in the severe oral surgery required to add bone to the region, this operation is the only option available to the dentist.

3. Zygomatic Implants

The least popular type of dental implant you can get is a zygomatic implant.

Zygomatic implants are a type of dental implant used to support a bridge or denture in the upper jaw. Unlike traditional dental implants, which are placed in the jawbone, zygomatic implants are placed in the cheekbone.

This makes them an ideal option for patients who have undergone extensive tooth loss and do not have enough bone density to support traditional implants.

Alternative Techniques

You can opt for other alternatives in case you do not want the above-mentioned implants. Some of them are –

1. Bone Augmentation

When you lose a tooth, the bone which supports that tooth begins to deteriorate. Over time, this can lead to significant bone loss in the jaw, which can make it difficult or impossible to place dental implants.

However, with bone augmentation, also referred to as bone grafting, it is possible to restore the jawbone so that it can support implants. According to the findings of various research, one of the most effective ways to strengthen bones is to use bone supplements in conjunction with growth hormones.

2. Sinus Lift

Also known as sinus augmentation or sinus elevation, this procedure includes the addition of bone behind the sinus where the natural bones have degenerated due to the absence of upper back teeth.

3. Ridge Expansion

If your jaw is insufficiently wide to accommodate dental implants, bone graft material might be injected into a little ridge or gap all along the top of your jaw.

Other Notable Surgery Techniques Used For Dental Implants

3D Imaging

One of the biggest advances has been the ability for dentists to create a 3D model of your jaw. This allows them to plan the best course of action for your surgery, which means that you can expect a quicker and easier recovery. In addition, this technology can also help to save you money in the long run by reducing the need for multiple surgeries.

Immediate Load Dental Implants

Also known as “same-day implants” or “Teeth in a Day,” this technique allows the implantation of a temporary tooth on the same day that you get an implant placement. This may be a viable choice if you have enough natural bone and a stable enough implant to sustain quick installation and pressure on the new temporary tooth.

MDI (Mini Dental Implants)

These are incredibly narrow implants the size of toothpicks. And because of that they are also called small or narrow-diameter implants. Their main function is to secure a lower denture. They are less inventive compared to the others but are nonetheless a viable alternative for you to consider.

All-On-4

This is an alternative to having an entire upper or lower arch of teeth extracted and replaced with false ones. The placement of four dental implants in the accessible bone eliminates the necessity for bone grafting.

But remember, when undergoing this procedure, you will need to adhere to a particular diet while the tissue heals and the implants fuse with the bone. Six months later, a permanent array of replacement teeth is inserted, and you can continue your regular diet.

Wrapping Up!

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, and there are several types of implants available. We’ve outlined the most common types of dental implants in this blog post, and for more such exciting reads, do not forget to keep a watch on this space.