What Types of Dental Implants are Available?

Dental implants are typically made from titanium. At Dream Dental Implant Center, we provide several dental implant options. To determine the best dental implant option for your situation, we will need to schedule a consultation to review your oral health needs. Dental implants are one of the most successful dental procedures used to replace a tooth root and allow you to have natural looking teeth again. Dental implant technology is sophisticated and requires a dental professional with the right experience and training to properly place a dental implant.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are placed underneath the gums on top of the jawbone. A metal frame is placed into your jawbone and it is covered with gum tissue as it heals and becomes fixed in place. Once the subperiosteal implant heals an artificial tooth is mounted onto the posts that are part of the frame. The implant is often used when patients have a shrunken jawbone and the endosteal implant will not be able to work.

Subperiosteal implants are commonly placed in two appointments to ensure it is secured properly, and for the gum tissue to heal. Patients healing time varies, which is why it is important to schedule a consultation to check on any problems and determine how much time is needed for effective healing. Average cases normally take around four or five weeks.

Dental implants need to be cared for in the same manner as the rest of your teeth. Treating a dental implant like a natural tooth will aid in keeping the jawbone and gums healthy and allows the implant to continue remaining strong.

The cost of dental implants vary based on each patient and their specific oral health needs. To be a candidate for dental implants, it is important to have healthy gums beforehand. Contact Dream Dental Implant Center for more information about payment options.

Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants are placed within the jawbone and are the most common type of implant. Endosteal implants are the preferred option for patients with missing teeth. If a patient needs an extraction, many of them will be eligible for a dental implant the same day as an extraction. Endosteal implants normally have a screw that is threaded or smooth or bladed. Dental implants do have a high success rate, making them a popular option for patients with a failed bridge or failed root canal.

Endosteal implants are placed directly into the jawbone, where the screw will fuse with the bone and provide a similar look and feel as natural teeth. Endosteal implants have multiple parts that work together to create a replacement tooth. A fabricated tooth is created and placed on the abutment portion of an implant. To place the implant, the existing tooth will need to be extracted. Patients need to undergo a consultation to determine if bone grafting is needed to strengthen the jaw before the endosteal implant is placed. On average patients experience a healing time of four to six weeks as the bone fuses around the implant. The healing process is called osseointegration. Osseointegration is an essential part of the implant process to ensure it will provide a solid and firm foundation. Once we can determine if the implant is successful, the abutment and crown will be placed.

Two-Stage Implants

A two-stage implant procedure involves surgery to place the implant in the jawbone and stitches are needed to close the gum tissue over the implant. Several months will pass as the jawbone fuses with the implant. Once the implant has healed a small surgery is used to attach the abutment and crown.

Single-Stage Implant

Patients will need to undergo an evaluation to determine the type of implant and healing time needed to have a successful implant. If bone needs to be built up, it can take up to a year for the jawbone to be completely healed and ready for the abutment. Some patients will have healing caps and implants placed together if their jawbone is strong enough. For most patients, a single-stage implant is common. The first appointment will involve a small incision made in the gums where the implant is placed and a hole is then drilled in the bone. The implant is placed in the hole and the gums are stitched back together. The second procedure will be several months later and will involve making a new incision to expose the implant and a healing cap is placed on top of the implant. The healing cap reminds in place for several weeks until it is removed and the abutment is then screwed into the implant and will support the crown.

Complications with Dental Implants

The majority of patients will not have complications from dental implants, but there are still some risks you need to be aware of. Rarely do implants fail, but they can develop an infection or have problems with alignment. An improper bite leads to problems with speaking and eating. Bone loss can cause a dental implant to fail as the implant can struggle to bond with the bone. Patients that clench their jaws can have problems with the implant as clenching causes too much pressure on the implant.

Dental implants do have one of the highest success rates of all dental procedures. To schedule a consultation to discuss your oral health needs, contact Dream Dental Implant Center.