Missing a tooth can greatly impact your self-confidence and interactions with those around you. You may not realise it, but several types of dental implants are available to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed in the jawbone beneath your gums. They provide a secure and permanent replacement for missing teeth, allowing you to smile confidently again. Let’s look at some of the most popular types of dental implants.
Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery is one of the most common and effective ways to restore your smile’s function, beauty, and comfort. It’s a dental solution for replacing one or more natural teeth lost due to dental disease or injury. During dental implant surgery, replacement teeth are inserted into the area where the missing teeth were originally located using titanium dental implants. A dental bridge will then be placed securely on these implants to provide the aesthetic and structural support needed to replace your absent natural teeth. With dental implant surgery, you can trust that you will once again have the optimal appearance and functionality you want in your smile.
Types of Dental Implants
Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant used today. These implants consist of metal posts or screws surgically implanted into your jawbone beneath your gum line. The posts act as anchors for individual crowns or bridges to replace multiple missing teeth and can be used as an alternative to traditional dentures or bridges.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants consist of metal frames surgically placed beneath your gum line on top of your jawbone. The structures support artificial teeth, which are attached to the post portion of the frame when they heal. Subperiosteal implants work best for people who don’t have enough healthy jawbone tissue to support endosteal implants. Still, they come with risks, such as infection and implant failure, if a qualified dentist or oral surgeon needs to install them properly.
Zygomatic Implants
Zygomatic dental implants are designed to be used when there is insufficient space in the jawbone for normal implants, and they are placed directly in the zygomatic bone of the upper jaw instead. This procedure is often beneficial to those with atrophied or otherwise weakened jaws due to age-related factors or medical treatments, such as radiation therapy, that may limit bone density.
With zygomatic implants, patients no longer have to worry about having insufficient bone material for dental implant placement, giving them a viable solution for replacing their missing teeth.
Titanium Dental Implants
Titanium dental implants have become popular for replacing missing teeth or stabilising dentures. Different types of titanium implants, like endosteal and subperiosteal, are notable for their superior strength and long-term durability. Compared to other materials used in dental implants, such as gold and plastic composites, titanium offers naturally occurring health benefits due to its biocompatibility with the human body. As a result of these characteristics, titanium dental implants provide patients with an improved quality of life backed by reliable stability and strength — even under harsh environmental conditions.
Zirconia Implants
Zirconia dental implants are among the newest and have proven effective and safe for quality oral health. Unlike other materials used in dental implants, zirconia is not only strong, but it is also osteocompatible, meaning that it has the natural ability to bond with bones over time. As such, these implants usually require less healing time for better integration with the surrounding human tissue. Thanks to their durability and natural bonding capacity, zirconia dental implants hold up exceptionally well compared to other materials. Moreover, clinical research supports the material’s long-term efficacy, so patients can rest assured knowing that this option is both viable and safe for restoring their teeth.
Single Tooth Dental Implants
Single-tooth dental implants (STDI) involve replacing a missing tooth with an implant root made from titanium alloy and topped with an artificial crown designed to match the colour and shape of your natural teeth. STDI is a great option for people who want to replace one or two teeth without having to get dentures or bridges, as well as people who don’t have enough healthy jawbone tissue to support other types of dental implants due to age or disease.
Multiple-tooth implant
A multiple-tooth dental implant is a modern and reliable solution for those missing several teeth. It’s a great way to replace consecutive lost teeth with one integrated unit while maintaining natural soft tissue levels and restoring dental function. The advantage of this type of implant is that it can be done relatively quickly, resulting in a more comfortable experience for the patient. Many who have gone through the procedure report greater confidence in their smile thanks to being able to chew and speak with ease again. With proper care, this permanent solution will look, feel and act like your real teeth – enabling always-in-place beauty and convenience you’d never imagined possible.
Implant Supported Bridge
Implant-supported bridges are one of the types of dental implants available, and they offer several unique benefits over other types. With an implant bridge, only two or three parts are required: an anchor implant, a connector piece to hold them together, and a centralised artificial tooth. The anchor implants act like natural tooth roots, providing superior stability and support compared to traditional dentures. This type of implant also helps maintain the health of existing teeth and gum tissue while protecting against any future damage.
Patients who choose the implant-supported bridge will enjoy improved structural stability, strengthened bite force, and enhanced aesthetics compared to alternative dental implant types.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are an excellent option for individuals who need more than one missing tooth replaced. An implant-supported denture is a prosthetic device that attaches to dental implants surgically inserted into the jawbone and acts as an anchor for the denture. Because these implants firmly hold the dentures in place, they provide excellent stability, greatly improving the quality of life for patients who have lost multiple teeth or can’t use other dentures. For those looking to restore their smiles while enjoying premium comfort and peace of mind, implant-supported dentures should be considered treatment options.
Full Arch Dental Implants
Full arch dental implants are a great way to achieve a natural-looking smile and regain healthy jawbone structure and proper bite alignment. A full arch treatment typically requires 4-6 implant posts strategically placed at various heights, angles and depths within the jawbone. This method allows for the most stability and support while having minimal disruption to adjacent teeth and tissue. The single-piece and multi-piece dental implant bridges can be used depending on your oral health needs; your dentist or oral surgeon can guide you through each option based on their professional assessment of your mouth.
Mini Dental Implants (MDIs)
Mini dental implants (MDIs) are becoming increasingly popular as a fast, safe, and reliable treatment option. MDIs offer anchoring teeth replacement devices, such as crowns and bridges, directly into the jawbone. Mini dental implants follow the same procedure as traditional implantation but with much less preparation and surgery required making them an ideal choice for those who need to minimise their healing period. Mini implants can also secure dentures on the lower or upper jaw, creating a sturdier hold that provides extra stability for talking and eating. With an impressive success rate of over 95%, mini dental implants can provide you with convenience and comfort you won’t get anywhere else!
All-On-X Dental Implants
All-On-X dental implants have revolutionised how we approach missing teeth and traditional dentures. Different tooth replacement solutions exist, confusing many people on which one to opt for. You might be surprised that All-on-X dental implants, or Teeth-in-a-Day, offer a fast, efficient solution for many people with serious or uncomfortable tooth loss. It allows a better long-term outcome due to fewer overall measures required. This is the best way to restore full oral function while eliminating the need for various dental prostheses, such as bridges and dentures — resulting in a beautiful natural looking smile!
Conclusion
All in all, no matter how many teeth you need to replace, you will find the dental implant type that suits your needs. Consult with our dentists to decide which type best suits your needs and budget. know the risks and what is the proper care to avoid them! With the right treatment plan and care, dental implants can restore your beautiful smile and confidence in yourself! Contact us on (07) 3113 9789 today to know more information about dental implants, and book your appointment!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Dental Implants. Part I: Biological basis, implant types, and the peri-implant sulcus https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8699485/
Dental implants and how crucial replacing teeth really is https://www.dentalhealth.org/Blog/dental-implants-and-how-crucial-replacing-teeth-really-is
This helps give our patients who are undergoing treatment at our clinic peace of mind knowing that we have demonstrated evidence-based quality standards of care.
If you have an urgent problem, call us on (07) 3113 9789. We will almost always be available to help out as times are reserved every day for emergencies, including Saturdays and Sundays.
