Dental implants represent the ultimate in dental restoration. If you have damaged, decaying, or missing teeth, they allow you to have a healthy, natural-looking smile. A titanium post replaces the tooth root and fuses with the jawbone. Atop that an abutment is placed onto which a crown, bridge, or permanent denture is fit. Since dental implants can last a lifetime, knowing the different types available helps understand which option is most suited for you.
Here are the most common types of dental implants:
Single Tooth Dental Implants
One titanium screw/post is implanted below the socket of the missing tooth. When complete, the implant will blend in with the rest of your natural teeth. No one will know the difference. Single-tooth implants can also be used to replace multiple teeth that aren’t adjacent to one another.
Multiple Dental Implants
Depending on your treatment plan, more than one post can be implanted to support a dental bridge or partial denture. A bridge can include one or more prosthetic teeth not connected to an implant (the crowns on both ends will be supported by titanium posts). Therefore, you avoid the cost of replacing each tooth.
Implant-Supported Denture
An entire upper or lower arch of teeth can be replaced. To accomplish this, your dentist will insert a few posts in strategic places. A custom denture is fit onto the implants after you heal. It will look and function like a full set of teeth, without the downsides of traditional dentures that can slip, slide, fall out, click, and make eating and talking uncomfortable. This artificial set of teeth rests comfortably on your gum line.
Denture Stabilization
Alternatively, implants can be added to stabilize a set of removable dentures. These can then be snapped in place but taken out at night for cleaning. Challenges with eating and speaking are resolved as well. These dentures can’t move around in your mouth.
All-on-4 Dental Implants
Replacing an entire arch of teeth often requires using six or more implants. However, an all-on-4 procedure involves placing just four implants, which support the arch of replacement teeth. You can bite just the same as with natural teeth and the prosthesis will look and feel the same as well. Also, bone grafting is less common with this type of procedure. It also has a very high success rate.
How Do I Know Which Types of Dental Implants I Need?
Your dentist will evaluate your oral health to determine the best treatment options. At OraBell Dental Implant Centers, we provide a free consultation with a 3D CBCT scan. Dr. Idan Snapir, our lead dental surgeon, will perform an examination, create a customized treatment plan, and provide a quote for the entire procedure.
Factors that can impact a treatment plan include whether bone loss has occurred. In this case, a bone grafting procedure may be done and the implant will be placed when enough bone has regenerated. Age is a factor as well. For the best results, practitioners will wait until the patient’s facial structure has fully developed. Gum disease or conditions such as diabetes can affect one’s suitability for dental implants, so an individual’s overall health will be considered.
Contact OraBell Dental Implant Centers
Located in Van Nuys, we provide dental implants to clients in the San Fernando Valley and beyond. Our team uses the latest advances in implant technology to ensure your physical and emotional comfort and maximize the procedure’s chances of success. A custom treatment plan is created whether you have one or multiple missing teeth, or need to replace an upper or lower arch. To book your free consultation, call 818-798-9730 today.
