People with missing teeth are always too self-conscious to smile or speak confidently. When food is difficult to chew, they can form unhealthy eating habits, contributing to other health issues. Individuals with damaged teeth will benefit from our dental implants as a complete reconstruction choice. Dental implants aren’t just for dentures; our dentists at Lumina dental are incredibly meticulous as implants serve as artificial roots to maintain maximum operation while slowing or preventing jawbone deterioration.
These dental implants replace broken tooth roots, giving people the strength and consistency, they need to eat more of their favorite foods without strain to chew them. These styles also aid in the stimulation and maintenance of the jawbone, avoiding bone loss and supporting facial features.
Types of Dental Implants
Endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic are the three most common forms of dental implants available. Our prosthodontists select from various coatings, connectors, and sizes for each form of dental implant based on your requirement.
- Endosteal Implants:
The endosteal (Endosseous) implant is the most widely used. They’re sometimes seen instead of a bridge or flexible denture. Screw-type (threaded), cylinder-type (smooth), and bladed endosteal implants are available. We will help you decide which type of dental implant is better for you, but endosteal implants are the safest, most effective, and most commonly used option today.
Endosteal implants work by drilling a titanium screw into the jawbone to serve as an artificial root. Before the procedure is completed, one must wait for the soft tissue and bone to recover around the core. Usually, this takes a few months. Endosteal implants have a reputation for being one of the most stable and natural-feeling implants available.
The first step in placing an endosteal implant is screwing it into the jawbone, which involves good jawbone health and density. In the situation when you lack sufficient jawbone for an endosteal implant, or you have a thin jawbone ridge that is short, narrowed, and worn down as a result of trauma or disease. Then, in this case, a subperiosteal implant is used.
- Subperiosteal implants
Nowadays, they are rarely used. They used to be used mainly to keep dentures in place in patients with inadequate bone height. Subperiosteal implants are inserted inside the gum tissue on the jawbone, finished by exposing the metal implant post through the gums to support the denture.
Treatment: Compared to endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants need only two appointments and have a much shorter treatment time.
Subperiosteal implants lack the same degree of stability as traditional implants because they do not go into the jawbone but rather lie on top of it, held in place only by soft tissue. While this provides more protection than dentures without implants, it is less secure than a complete endosteal implant device.
If the jaw bone cannot support the dental implant, then the different methods used are:
Augmentation of the bones -This entails rebuilding or regenerating bone in the jaw because it can no longer support implants. According to studies, fortifying the skeleton with bone additives and growth factors yields the best results.
Lifting the sinuses-In instances where the natural bone has eroded due to lost upper back teeth, sinus augmentation, or sinus elevation means inserting bone below the sinus.
Ridge enlargement- Bone graft material may be attached to a narrow slope or space, formed along the top of your jaw if it isn’t large enough to accommodate dental implants.
- Transosteal Implants
These implants, which can only be attached to the lower jawbone, are usually not recommended due to the complicated and lengthy surgical process. A metal plate is screwed into the bottom of the jawbone, and posts are embedded in the gum tissue. An incision is made behind the chin to fasten the new teeth to a plate and retain the upper positions. However, since these implants must be customized to the width and height of the jawbone, they are not inexpensive. This ensures that the implant is well fitted to the patient.
- All-on-4 Dental Implants
Adults who wish to remove dentures should consider all-on-4 dental implants. A thin titanium screw is implanted into the jaw to replace the missing tooth’s root. This necessitates a minor procedure. After that, a crown is attached, resulting in a tooth that is both realistic and practical. Since four implants are used per cheek, they are referred to as all-on-4 implants.
- Implants Overdentures
Implant overdentures are a better choice than conventional dentures if you’re safe enough to have your teeth extracted. As opposed to traditional dentures, overdentures are mounted on top of implants, providing more stability. Overdentures have several advantages, including smoother chewing, better voice, reduced pain, no need for denture adhesives, and the ability to reuse existing dentures.
- Implant-Supported Bridges
When one or two teeth are absent, there is insufficient jawbone to accommodate an implant, or a nerve is close by, implant-assisted bridges are a good choice. Three parts make up an implant-supported bridge that are implant, abutment, and restoration.
The good news is that grinding your teeth will pressure your dental implant, which can be reduced with this dental implant.
When it comes to implant-supported bridges, the process starts with an initial consultation that includes x-rays, dental histories, impressions, and maybe a CT scan if several teeth are absent. The first surgery will occur after that. Following the implant’s healing, a second operation will be performed in which a new implant will be placed.
Pros and Cons
All the types mentioned above have their advantages and a few setbacks; however, it depends entirely on the patient, his oral health condition, and the kind of treatment one wants to get to achieve a perfect smile.
Smile with Confidence!
Dental implant restorations are almost indistinguishable from natural teeth today. This is due in part to the implant’s structural and functional relationship with the living bone and advanced technology that allows the teeth to be precisely aligned. Both styles of dental implants will last a lifetime if cared for properly. Based on your specific preferences, our dental implant specialist at Lumina dental will assist you in determining which solution is better for you. Call us right now if you wish to restore total mouth control and smile with confidence in the future.