July 20, 2023

The Different Types of Dental Implants: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhancing your smile can now be accomplished easily through various means thanks to significant advancements in dentistry.

When it comes to addressing tooth loss, dental implants have emerged as the most favored and highly recommended procedure. These implants not only enhance the appearance of the patient’s smile but also contribute to improved oral health, ultimately benefiting the patient’s overall well-being.

Dental implants offer the most realistic, aesthetically pleasing, and long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth. Nevertheless, the many options available can be quite overwhelming.

To simplify your decision-making process, let us delve into a comprehensive exploration of the different types of dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small metallic posts that connect to the jawbone, and most of them are crafted from pure titanium. Their small size enables them to snugly fit into the bone beneath the gum line, mimicking the function of natural tooth roots. By integrating with dental crowns through a connector or abutment, these implants create personalized replacement teeth. They provide a flexible solution for any form of tooth loss, as they can be tailored to meet the needs of any patient.

Types of Dental Implants

ENDOSTEAL IMPLANTS

SUBPERIOSTEAL IMPLANTS

ZYGOMATIC IMPLANTS

These are the most common types of dental implants. Although they are suited for most individuals, the patient needs a good, healthy jawbone for the post to fuse to.

Different from endosteal implants, which are fixed into the jawbone, subperiosteal implants are placed on top of the jawbone.

This procedure should only be done if the patient doesn’t have enough jawbone for the Endosteal implant.

They are placed directly into the jawbone and are shaped like small screws.

This is the main alternative for endosteal implants. Patients who don’t have enough healthy jawbones to support the endosteal ones will typically go for this option.

The implant is placed in the patient’s cheekbone rather than the jawbone.

After the procedure, it requires time to heal and fuse together to create a stronghold. Once it’s healed, the false teeth can be placed on the post to fit in with the surrounding teeth.

A metal framework positioned atop the jawbone secures the implant in its position, while the implant’s posts extend through the gums.

Zygomatic implants are the least common type of dental implant.

All-on-4 Implants

All-on-4 is a dental implant technique in which just four implants replace the upper or lower set of teeth. These four implants act as a support mechanism for the placement of a new set of fixed teeth. With this procedure, an entire row of teeth can be replaced in a very short period of time. Learn more about the reasons for choosing All-on-4 Dental Implants here.

Snap-on Dentures

Snap-On dentures consist of 2–6 implants placed in the patient’s mouth and a denture that simply snaps on the implants. These are a more secure type of implant that clips in place, but the patient will need to remove and clean them after bedtime like they would with a traditional denture. Learn more about the differences between snap-on dentures and all-on-4 implants here.

Single Tooth Implants

A standalone implant, known as a single-tooth implant, is used to replace a single missing tooth.
The implant is inserted into the jawbone, and a replacement tooth or crown is subsequently affixed to the implant post.
Single-tooth implants provide a durable and aesthetically pleasing remedy for tooth loss while also aiding in the preservation of the neighboring teeth and jawbone structure.
They serve as an excellent choice for patients with one or two missing teeth who desire a stable, permanent, and authentic-looking solution.

Implant Bridges

An implant bridge is a dental implant option that’s used to replace multiple teeth that are missing. It relies on the support of two or more dental implants, which are carefully positioned in the jawbone.

By connecting the bridge to these implant posts, a secure foundation is established to support the replacement teeth.
Implant bridges provide a durable and realistic solution for tooth loss while also aiding in the maintenance of the surrounding teeth and jawbone structure.
They are an excellent choice for individuals with consecutive missing teeth, as long as they still have healthy teeth on both sides of the empty space.

Immediate Load Implants (Teeth In a Day)

Immediate load implants, commonly referred to as “teeth in a day” implants, are a specific implant category that enables patients to receive replacement teeth immediately following implant surgery.
These implants are typically recommended for individuals with sufficient healthy jawbone structure to support the implant and who seek a convenient and time-efficient treatment alternative.

Additional Techniques for Dental Implants

There are some cases in which the patient may require an additional procedure in order to continue with dental implant treatment. For instance, if the patient’s jaw cannot support implants and they can’t go for a Zygomatic implant, there are other alternatives:

BONE GRAFTING
Bone grafting is a surgical intervention employed to reconstruct or rejuvenate a jawbone that has been lost as a result of injury, disease, or tooth extraction. This procedure is frequently required for individuals seeking dental implants but lacking sufficient healthy jawbone structure to support them.

SINUS LIFT
A sinus lift consists of adding bone to the upper jaw in the area below the sinus.
When there’s not enough bone in that area, this procedure can be a possible solution.
It entails making a small incision in the gum tissue and adding a small quantity of bone to the site. The purpose of this procedure is to prepare the area for the subsequent placement of a dental implant.

RIDGE EXPANSION
In some instances, the width of your jaw may not be adequate for implants. In such situations, your dentist can perform a grafting procedure, where additional material is inserted into a space created along the upper portion of your jaw.

There are several different types of dental implants out there for you to choose from. If you want to find the perfect match for you and your teeth, contact Northern Colorado Dental Specialty and Dental Implant Center.

Our team of specialty dental experts is unparalleled in Fort Collins and in the Northern Colorado area. Call +1 970-825-0000, or visit us at 1221 E Elizabeth St Unit 4, Fort Collins, CO 80524. we are dedicated to getting your care right the first time so you can confidently enjoy your life. Through a dental exam, our professionals will provide patients with thorough information about the different dental implants and the best option for each individual patient.