Dental health is gaining unprecedented awareness, thanks to ever-evolving techniques and scientific advancements. As a child, a dentist visit was always associated with a painful experience, but not anymore. With advancement, even surgical processes like ‘dental implants are performed with ease and comfort.
If your dentist has suggested or recommended a dental implant, no need to panic. Modern dental implants look almost like natural teeth. All kinds of dental implants could last a lifetime if properly maintained. Depending on your dental health and need, your prosthodontist will assist you in selecting the best type of dental implant.
What are Dental Implants?
In dental implant surgery, the root of the tooth is replaced with a metal implant and the lost or damaged tooth is replaced with a dental crown. The dental crown is generally made up of porcelain that resembles natural teeth. When insufficient natural tooth roots allow for the construction of dentures or bridgework tooth replacements, dental implant surgery can be a perfect alternative.
Dental implant surgery involves more than one procedure. The procedure will depend on the kind of implant used and the health of your jawbone. Dental implants are so effective because they provide the required support to teeth, just like the natural roots, and also allow the bone to heal properly
Single or Multiple tooth Implants
One or more than one tooth can be replaced with dental implants as per the need and condition of the teeth.
· Single tooth implant: Your dentist will perform a single tooth implant and then insert a single replacement tooth or crown if you only need to replace one tooth.
· Multiple tooth implants: Your dentist may perform a multiple-tooth implant with replacement teeth explicitly designed for you if you have a few damaged teeth.
Sometimes a complete mouth implant is also done. For example, your dentist might do a full-mouth dental implant if you are toothless.
What are Different Dental Implants?
There are several types of dental implants:
Endosteal Implants
It is the safest and most common type of dental implant. As the most prevalent dental implant, endosteal is helpful to most patients with strong and healthy jawbones for the post to fuse. They fit into the jaw, where the fake teeth are attached.
After the surgery, the wound requires time to heal. It needs some time to come together and fortify itself. The false teeth whitening could be attached to the post to blend in with the adjoining teeth once healed.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants, a primary substitute for Endosteal implants, lay on top of the jawbone but are buried beneath the gums instead of being fastened into the jawbone. Beneath the gum, a metal frame with a post is attached. The gum heals around the frame and holds it in its place. The fake teeth are held in place by poles that protrude from the gum.
Only when the patient’s jawbone is insufficient for implant placement or when the patient does not wish to have major oral surgery to build up the area’s bone is this approach used.
Zygomatic Implants
These are the least prevalent kind of dental implants. You should only undergo this complex treatment if your jawbone is insufficient to support an Endosteal implant. Sometimes the implant is fixed into the cheekbone rather than the jawbone.
Mini Dental Implants
These tiny implants are about the size of a toothpick or a pencil lead. Compared to most implants, they are narrower. If you need to stabilise a lower denture, your doctor can decide to use this. Compared to traditional dental implants, mini dental implants can be performed using less invasive methods.
If you’ve suffered significant bone loss and have little remaining jawbone, your doctor might advise small dental implants. If you have loose dentures, the dentist might also advise micro-implants. They can be stabilised when you talk or eat so they won’t slip.
A dental implant is supported by a few related procedures that help improve the result or support the treatment. Some of the commonly recommended procedures include:
- Bone augmentation
- Sinus lift
- Ridge Expansion
Bone Augmentation
It enhances the jawbone with additives and growth factors. Your jaw may not be able to support dental implants if it doesn’t have a healthy bone. Your doctor could advise bone augmentation to rebuild or regenerate the bone to sustain implants. Growth factors and supplements for bones are commonly used.
Sinus Lift
Your upper back jaw is one of the most challenging areas for dental implants. That’s because it’s close to your sinus, and you may not have enough bone there, either in quantity or quality.
Your doctor can fix this by using a sinus lift, also known as sinus augmentation. Your sinus floor is raised to make room for more bone that can support dental implants.
Ridge expansion
If your jaw is too narrow to support implants, your doctor might suggest ridge modification or enlargement. This entails filling a tiny area along the top of your jaw, sometimes known as a ridge, with bone graft material.
Your doctor might suggest ridge modification if you have upper or lower jaw deformities. It might enhance both the appearance of your jaw and your chances of getting a successful implant.
We hope you have gained enough clarity on dental implants, so now you can choose the one that suits your needs. However, choosing the right dentist is the key here.
If you are based in Cardiff, you can consult Super Smile Dental – a well-established private dental care centre providing 20+ treatments with 24/7 service. They have a growing base of 1000+ happy customers. To make an appointment, contact us today!