Types of Dental Implants & How to Know Which is Right For You
A beautiful smile can change your life. It’s how you can express yourself and connect with others. Exploring tooth replacement options can feel overwhelming, but understanding your choices is the first step to finding the best solution for your unique needs. Dental implants stand out as a superior alternative to traditional treatments like bridges or dentures, offering durability and a natural look.
At The Point Dental, we’re here to support you in making an informed decision that aligns with your personal preferences and oral health goals. We know how important this choice is, and our team is dedicated to guiding you every step of the way. By considering factors such as comfort, longevity, and overall success, you can select the treatment that best fits your lifestyle.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve detailed the various types of dental implants below, highlighting their benefits and suitability for different conditions. Let’s explore how each option can contribute to your journey toward a confident, beautiful smile.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are replacement teeth that are fixed into the jaw using titanium ‘roots’. They offer a more natural feel and look compared to traditional dentures. Modern implant methods utilise minimally invasive techniques, allowing for faster healing time and better long-time performance.
Structurally, implants consist of three sections:
- The implant itself, which is a titanium ‘screw’ that is implanted into the jaw,
- an abutment to connect the implant to the crown,
- the crown, a natural-looking artificial tooth, that replaces the missing tooth.
Types of dental implants
Depending on the bone density of your jaw and your smile goals, there are a few different types of dental implants that are designed to replace missing teeth.
Single tooth implants
A single-tooth implant is a great solution if you’re only missing one tooth, only requiring one screw to connect a single dental crown. This solution will help maintain the shape of your gum and bone, as well as appear as natural and healthy as any other tooth in your smile. Traditional bridges or dentures can also be considered for a single missing tooth, especially if the adjacent teeth need restoration or if there are any existing concerns regarding your bone density.
Implant-supported bridge
Implant-supported dental bridges or multiple teeth implants are ideal if you are missing more than one tooth. This dental procedure uses a few strategically placed dental implants to support a bridge that replaces multiple missing teeth. By not requiring a separate implant for each missing tooth, it offers a more cost-effective and less invasive solution compared to individual implants for each tooth. This approach can provide stability and function similar to natural teeth while reducing the number of titanium implants needed. If you prefer a less invasive procedure or if your bone density is insufficient for multiple implants, you may prefer a traditional bridge or dentures.
Implant overdentures
Implant overdentures are a type of denture that is retained by two to four dental implants. Unlike traditional dentures that can often come loose and may require adhesives, implant overdentures can be snapped onto implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone. This provides improved stability, better chewing function, and greater comfort for denture wearers. Although they still rest on the gums and you may feel the bulky ‘denture’ sensation in your mouth, they can be removed easily for proper cleaning, just like traditional dentures.
If you need a more cost-effective solution, Traditional dentures are still an effective solution. On the other hand, if you want a more permanent solution, All-on-4 dental implants are fixed into your jaw without the need for daily removal.
All-on-4 dental implants
All-on-4 implants provide a fixed, permanent, and predictable solution for replacing all your missing teeth, both cosmetically and functionally, using just four dental implants per arch. This approach offers a stable and secure set of teeth that look and function like natural teeth, typically within one to three days. It’s often used for patients who are missing most or all of their teeth in one or both jaws. Not only is this procedure quicker and more affordable than traditional implant methods, but it also has a very high success rate. If you’d like to learn more about All-on-4 implants, contact us today.
If you’d prefer removable options, you may want to consider traditional dentures or implant overdentures.
Zygoma dental implants
Zygoma dental implants are a little different to other dental implants as they attach to the cheekbone (zygoma) rather than the jaw bone. These are the best options for patients with a completely deteriorated jaw bone or low bone density. Zygoma dental implants are an alternative to bone grafting which can be an uncomfortable procedure for many patients. This procedures makes the entire process quicker and more predictable.
Dental implant techniques
There are a few different techniques for executing dental implants, varying depending on how much bone is present in the jaw.
Endosteal implants are when the implant acts as the root of the tooth. The titanium implant bonds and integrates with your jawbone, becoming an integral part of your smile’s structure.
Subperiosteal implants are inserted under the gum but above the jawbone. They are best suited for patients who don’t have enough natural jawbone to support an implant.
Bone grafting is a great option for patients with insufficient bone in the jaw to support a dental implant, bone grafting is a highly effective technique. This procedure involves adding bone or bone-like materials to the jaw to create a solid foundation for the implant.
Over time, the graft integrates with the existing bone, providing the necessary support for successful implant placement. Bone grafting ensures that even those with significant bone loss can achieve the benefits of dental implants and enjoy a stable, long-lasting smile. Note that this procedure is not required for All-on-4® or zygomatic implants, which are designed to address more complex cases without the need for grafting.
Things to consider
It is important to consider the various factors that can impact the success and longevity of your implants. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind
Risk factors
While dental implants are a great solution for many, it’s important to consider the potential risk factors. Smoking, certain medications, and health conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, can impact the success of your dental implants.
Making sure you keep up with good oral hygiene and getting regular dental checkups are crucial to ensuring the longevity and health of your implants. When you come in for your consultation with us, we will discuss your dental history and anything that may be a potential risk to ensure you receive the best treatment for you.
Cost
We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality dental care, which is why we offer flexible payment options and early release of your super to make it easier for you to invest in your oral health and achieve your dream smile.
Navigating tooth replacement options can be challenging, especially when considering your financial situation. We understand that cost is a significant factor, and we’re here to help you weigh the pros and cons of each option, from bridges and dentures to dental implants and All-On-4 solutions.
At The Point Dental, we take the time to guide you through this process, ensuring you find the solution that best suits your unique needs. With expertise across a wide range of treatments, you can trust that our decisions are based on what’s best for you, and not limited by our capabilities.
Your smile is important to us, and we’re dedicated to helping you make the choice that feels right for you. To learn more about how we can help make a healthy, beautiful smile becomes your reality, give our supportive team a call today.
Let The Point Dental help you on your dental journey
At The Point Dental, we believe in empowering you with a brand new confident and
fearless smile. As one of Victoria’s leading providers of dental implants, we’re proud to be recognized as a centre of excellence for All-On-4 dental implants.
Our team of friendly dental experts is committed to providing you with the highest standard of care and the best quality dental implants. To ensure that all of our patients have a comfortable experience with us, we provide sleep dentistry services to ease stress and make your dental visit more relaxed.
Are you ready to start your journey to a new smile? Contact one of our dental experts today to start working towards your dream smile.
