If you are losing teeth, dental implants can be a great solution. This advanced treatment has been widely used for several decades, so it is a reliable option that will provide a good outcome with the right planning and treatment.
Various types of implant solutions are available. In this guide, you will learn more about three different implant solutions, what they are, and when they will likely be recommended. Possible options include dental implants to replace single teeth and full arch solutions.
Dental implants are designed to replace tooth roots artificially. They usually have three separate components. The first component is the implant screw or post. The second is the implant abutment, and the third and final part is the implant restoration.
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The implant post is surgically inserted into your jawbone, into a specially shaped hole created by your dental implant dentist. Once in your jawbone, it is tightened into place and, within a few months, becomes firmly fused in the bone because of a process called Osseointegration.
During Osseointegration, new bone cells begin growing on and around the implant post. The implant post is designed to facilitate this process, which can take 2 to 6 months to complete.
The huge advantage of choosing dental implants is the protective effect on your jawbone. Natural tooth roots stimulate the jawbone, ensuring the bone remains strong and healthy.
This stimulation is lost when your teeth are removed, and your jawbone soon begins to resorb. Dental implants are the only tooth loss solution that closely replicates this stimulation, preventing resorption and preserving your jawbone so it remains strong and healthy.
The implant abutment is screwed onto the implant post so it protrudes just above your gum line. The abutment is designed to hold your new implant restoration. There are many types of abutments available. The type chosen by your implant dentist will depend on your final restoration.
An implant restoration could be a single dental implant crown, an implant bridge, or an implant-supported denture.
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Single dental implants are ideal for replacing individual teeth. A well-designed treatment can ensure you receive a single tooth implant that looks and feels just like your own. It is screwed or cemented onto the dental implant so it remains permanently in place.
The implant crown will emerge from your gum like a real tooth. It will have a biting and chewing strength similar to a natural tooth.
A single implant tooth is easy to care for as you can simply brush and floss it like a real tooth. Although this is a more expensive way of replacing a single tooth initially, you will save money in the longer term.
The only alternative option would be a three-tooth or three-unit bridge, relying on support from the teeth on either side of the gap. These teeth must be significantly reshaped and crowned. The crowns then support the replacement tooth between them, which is called a pontic.
The disadvantage of choosing a three-unit bridge is that your dentist must remove healthy tooth structure to make room for the crowns. Removing this structure leaves these teeth at increased risk of decay and infection in the future. Once removed, it will never grow back and can only be replaced artificially with restorations like a dental crown.
Additionally, your three-unit bridge will need replacing in the future. At this point, it will cost more to replace a three-unit bridge compared with a single implant crown.
When a complete arch of teeth must be replaced, a full-arch bridge is one possible solution. This is a non-removable bridge that is cemented or screwed onto the dental implant abutments. It is supported by a dental implant inserted optimally in your arch, the bony ridge originally supporting your natural teeth.
The number of dental implants needed depends on the implant system chosen by your dentist. Some solutions can use as few as four dental implants to support an entire arch of teeth. Other options will require a larger number for optimal support and stability.
A full-arch bridge is a great option if you want non-removable teeth with good biting and chewing strength. With the right after-care, you should have teeth that last many years, if not for life. However, this solution is more expensive, especially if you need other treatments like bone grafting.
Bone grafting is often necessary when restoring an entire arch of teeth, especially if you lost teeth a while ago and your jawbone has resorbed significantly since then. Although bone grafting is a common procedure, not everyone is suitable, and it will increase the overall costs of treatment and the time required.
You may not need a bone graft if you have an implant treatment such as All-on-Four or Teeth in a Day since the implants are located towards the front of your mouth where the bone is naturally stronger and thicker.
If you are missing an entire arch of teeth and are looking for a cost-effective solution, consider an implant-supported denture. Ordinary dentures rely on suction to remain in the mouth. The amount of suction available can diminish as the jawbone resorbs and becomes flatter and narrower.
An implant-supported denture is still a removable prosthesis that is designed to clip firmly onto implants inserted into your jawbone. These implants will hold the denture securely in place, providing you with a much greater biting strength than an ordinary denture. You will also enjoy having teeth that remain firmly in place during meals and when talking and socializing with others.
This restoration is very easy to look after since when you need to clean it, you simply snap it out of your mouth for oral care. It is also very affordable. You need relatively few dental implants to hold an implant denture in place. The actual restoration is also inexpensive since it is like an ordinary denture but has special attachments on its fitting surface.
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Choosing the right restorations for your needs is a big decision, so getting the best and most up-to-date advice is important. The best dental implant dentist to see is a periodontist. They have advanced and specialized training in planning and placing implants. Their dental office will have all the technology needed for computer-guided surgery, so you will only have to visit one location for your entire treatment.
After assessing your mouth and any existing teeth, your implant dentist will take diagnostic images like a cone beam CT scan to determine your jawbone quality and quantity. They can use this information to produce a treatment plan.
If there is more than one option available, your implant dentist will discuss each choice with you, explaining the pros and cons and the associated costs.
When you face multiple tooth loss, choosing dental implants can be a life-changing experience for the better. Dental implants can restore your teeth in a natural and long-lasting way that is superior to other tooth replacement options.
This page was modified on by Dr. Alexander Bokser, DDS (Dentist) of Precision Dental NYC
Dr. Alexander Bokser is a dentist in Astoria, NY and Bayside, NY. He received his degree from New York University College of Dentistry, licensed by the New York State Board of Regents and the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners.
He is currently teaching dentistry at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Dr. Bokser has received numerous awards in dentistry and community service. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and North Queens Dental Study Club.
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