Three Different Styles of Dental Implants

When dental patients have lost one or more teeth, it’s common to look for ways to restore their smile. Dentures are a common solution that many consider. However, this approach requires frequent adjustment and must be replaced every few years. Most dentists suggest using dental implants to restore these patients’ teeth. They’re durable, long-lasting, and restore a more natural look and feel to the patient’s smiles. There are three common styles of dental implant, which we will present below.

Learning About The Different Styles of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a form of dental restoration mounted into the jawbone using a small titanium screw. These implants are mounting points for a crown that can replace one, some, or all of the teeth in one or both arches. Titanium is a metal with remarkable properties, including the ability to stimulate bone growth. Further, these screws can undergo a process known as osseointegration. Osseointegration is when the bone fuses with the titanium, resulting in a permanent physical bond.

Stimulating bone growth and osseointegration serve to strengthen the jawbone. By contrast, other forms of dental restoration can weaken surrounding tissues. Dental implants can also last the rest of your life, provided you care for them properly. These benefits make dental implants the most popular form of dental restoration today.

There are three primary approaches to dental implants used today:

• Single Tooth Implants – As the name indicates, these implants are used to replace a single tooth.
• Implant-Supported Bridge – This style of implant is used when multiple adjacent teeth need replacing. Implant-supported bridges use a dental implant at both ends of the gap created by the missing teeth to support the final restoration.
• Implant-Retained Denture – When you’re missing most or all of the teeth in one dental arch, implant-retained dentures can help. Unlike typical dentures, these total restorations are mounted on dental implants. They generally are semi-permanent, only being removed during your twice-yearly dental visits for cleaning.

Implant-retained dentures are typically mounted on four separate implants set into the upper or lower arch. If you already have dentures, they will be modified so you can continue to wear them during the healing process following the insertion of the mounting points. Once the healing process is complete, the new denture will be fixed on your dental implant mounting points.

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

Restoring your smile can be a profound experience, helping you to eat and smile naturally again. Many people feel self-conscious about missing teeth, so completely restoring their smile boosts their self-esteem. You can start your journey to living life with a complete and beautiful smile with a single phone call. Simply reach out to your local oral surgeon to receive an exam and consultation. They’ll help you determine if dental implants will work for you and work to develop a treatment plan that fits your oral health goals.