Dental implants are a great way to restore your smile if you’ve lost one tooth or multiple teeth. They provide a permanent solution that can help you feel confident about your appearance and improve the function of your mouth when eating or speaking.
Additionally, they can be used to support a single tooth, bridge, or denture. The type of dental implant recommended for you will depend on how many teeth are missing and your individual needs.
Basic Types of Implants
There are two common types of dental implants, which are endosteal and subperiosteal implants. Only the difference between them is the way they’re attached to your jawbone.
Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are inserted directly into the jawbone. These are the most common types of dental implants and involve a two-step process. First, small titanium posts are surgically implanted into the bone.
After a period of healing, abutment pieces (small connectors) will be placed on the posts to connect artificial teeth to them. Endosteal implants are suitable for people who have strong jawbones and healthy gum tissue.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gum but above the jawbone, making them a good choice for those with weaker or thinner jawbones. These implants consist of metal frames that fit into the bony area.
As the gum tissue heals, the metal frame becomes fixed in place, and artificial teeth are attached to it. They’re also a great option for those who don’t want to undergo surgery to have endosteal implants placed.
Zygomatic Implants
Zygomatic implants are a type of dental implant that is placed in the upper jaw, but instead of being attached to the jawbone, these implants attach to the cheekbone.
This procedure is used when there isn’t enough bone available in the patient’s jaw for traditional dental implants to be placed.
Zygomatic implants provide extra stability and strength for missing teeth at the back of your mouth.
Alternative Dental Implants Techniques
When seeking dental implant treatment, your dentist will first assess the health of your jawbone and develop a personalised treatment plan.
If your jawbones are not able to support dental implants, alternative procedures may be recommended in addition to the traditional multi-step dental implant procedure. These options may include the following:
Bone Augmentation
Bone augmentation also referred to as bone grafting, is a procedure used to increase the density of your jawbone in order for it to be able to support dental implants.
Bone grafts, synthetic materials and even your own bone cells can be used to help build up the area where the implant will go.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift, also known as sinus augmentation or sinus elevation, is a procedure that is used to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw, particularly between the molars and premolars.
That procedure is performed when you may not have enough bone quantity or quality there, and it’s close to your sinuses.
Ridge Expansions
A ridge expansion is a procedure used to reshape and rebuild the jawbone before dental implant placement. Bone grafts are added if your jaws are too narrow to support an implant, allowing for more successful implantation.
Overall, there are several types of dental implants that can be used depending on your individual needs. Your dentist will assess your jawbone health and create a personalised plan that will help you achieve the best outcome.
Additionally, alternative procedures such as Bone Augmentation, Ridge Expansions and Sinus Lifts are available to help broaden your options if traditional implants are not suitable.
Treatment Planning and 3D Imagining
The 3D digital imaging and implant surgical planning software available today are state-of-the-art and highly precise and have made implant procedures quicker while also ensuring their high predictability. By analysing the anatomy of your jaw, your dentist can determine the best sites for implant placement before surgery, thereby saving time and money and shortening recovery time.
Immediate-Loading Dental Implants
Immediate-loading dental implants, also known as same-day implants and teeth-in-an-hour, is a procedure in which the implant posts are placed into the jaw bone and immediately loaded with artificial teeth or secured dentures. If you have a natural, healthy bone and your implant is secured enough to support a temporary tooth, this procedure can be done in one appointment instead of having to wait several months for healing after implantation.
Mini Dental Implants (MDIs)
Mini dental implants (MDIs), also known as small or narrow diameters, are small titanium posts that act like traditional dental implants but are much smaller. These are often used for people who have weaker jawbones due to their less invasive nature and shorter implantation time compared to traditional ones.
All-on-4 Implant Procedure
The All-on-4 Implant Procedure is a technique that provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for those who have lost all of their teeth. This procedure involves placing four titanium dental implants into the jawbone, which are then used to support an entire arch of fixed prosthetic teeth.
The All-on-4 Implant Procedure allows patients to get new replacement teeth in just one visit instead of having to wait months while traditional implant posts heal. Additionally, this technique requires less bone tissue than regular implants, making it ideal for those with weaker or thinner jawbones.
The All-on-4 Implant Procedure also eliminates the need for dentures as it results in permanent and stable artificial teeth. This makes eating and speaking much easier compared to traditional dentures, which can be loose and uncomfortable.
Overall, there are many different types of dental implants available today that can help restore your smile and improve your oral health.
Restore Your Natural Teeth
Replacing your missing teeth should be easy with the efficient solutions that implant dentistry offers. Your dentist will assess your individual needs and create a treatment plan to ensure the best outcome for you.
Immediate-load dental implants, mini dental implants (MDIs) and All-on-4 Implant procedures are all popular options that can provide great results with minimal complication rates. How can you know which type is the right one for you? It’s simple, only your dentist can assess, determine and advise what is the best option for you.
For more information or to book an appointment, contact us on (02) 4062 8763 and get our expert dentists’ consultation on which procedure is right for you!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Types of Implants & Techniques https://www.aaid-implant.org/what-are-dental-implants/types-of-implants-and-techniques/
Zygomatic implants: indications, techniques and outcomes, and the zygomatic success code https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25123760/
Ridge expansion alone or in combination with guided bone regeneration to facilitate implant placement in narrow alveolar ridges: a retrospective study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24330035/
