Which Dental Implant Is Best for You?

Dental implants provide an adequate replacement for decayed or missing teeth. You can use dental implants to restore oral health if you have one or multiple missing teeth. Dental implants can last a lifetime and permanently solve your missing teeth problem correctly. Have you just lost your tooth and opted for a dental implant?  

"Implants are an extremely worthwhile investment; They have a tremendous benefit in the quality of life." – Dr. Roger Levin 

Now, you might wonder which dental implant is best for you and how to know this. However, it is essential to consult your dentist in this regard. But here, we'll discuss different types of dental implants for your general understanding. Doing so will help you consult with your dentist in a better way with a few basics in your head. Also, it will help you know the best type suited to your dental health condition.

Choosing Dental Implants: Which Type is Best? 

A dental implant is a screw-like device placed in the patient's jawbone beneath the gum line. After fusing with the jawbone, the dental implant creates a strong foundation for tooth restoration. Besides replacing the tooth, a dental implant helps preserve bone structure and uplifts oral health. There are many other benefits of dental implants; for instance: 

• Dental implants behave like natural roots and are highly durable. 
• They help prevent gum disease and bone loss.
• Dental implants support the adjacent teeth and prevent teeth from shifting. 
• They help restore bite force and proper chewing function. 
• Dental implants allow you to pronounce words correctly. 
• They help prevent facial sagging and elevate your self-esteem level. 

Dental implants are mostly made of titanium and porcelain material. The former is used in the replacement tooth root, whereas the latter is used in crown-making. These materials give strength and durability to dental implants that can last more than 30 years. Dental implants are of three basic types in terms of their function. We will discuss each in detail to make you understand which category suits you best. So, let's get started.

• Single Tooth Dental Implant 

A dental implant is often used for a single missing tooth. When you have one missing tooth, you'll only require one dental implant with a crown for restoration. A single-tooth dental implant has many advantages over a bridge or other tooth replacement options. First, it won't sacrifice the health of the neighboring teeth, and you will enjoy better oral health. In contrast, a tooth-supported bridge will require the adjacent teeth to ground down to offer support. In doing so, the strength of these adjacent teeth will be affected. A single-tooth dental implant will replace the tooth root by preserving the jawbone. 

Moreover, it would be easier to maintain than other tooth replacement options. The procedure of a single-tooth dental implant is listed below. Let's have a quick look at it. 

1. First, you'll be assessed for qualifying the criteria of dental implants. Once you are considered the right candidate, the dental implant expert creates a customized treatment plan. 
2. Afterward, the implant will be fused into your jawbone with the help of surgical-guided technology. Typically, it takes 3-4 months for the implant to fuse correctly into your jawbone. 
3. Once fused well, a custom-designed crown is connected to the implant via an abutment. That's when you restore your normal tooth function. The newly fitted dental implant functions like a natural tooth and aids you in speaking and chewing activities. 

• Implant-Supported Bridge for Multiple Teeth 

Option one won't suit you when you have multiple missing teeth. An implant-supported bridge will be your best option, saving you money, especially in the long run. An implant-supported bridge will provide a permanent and secure restoration for your missing teeth. 

The implant-supported bridge has several advantages over a traditional dental bridge. Using implants to secure the bridge will offer more than merely preventing tooth loss-related problems. It won't compromise the health of the adjacent teeth as in the case of a traditional bridge. They are more comfortable and won't require any reshaping to secure the bridge. This process takes several dental appointments, i.e.,

1. First, dental implants are placed in the patient's mouth. 
2. Then, a healing period is observed for the bone and gums to heal correctly.
3. Once the implant sites are healed, the next step is impression-taking. The dentist will take impressions of the mouth to make a mold. 
4. Then, the lab technician will create a crown that matches the patient's teeth color. 
5. Initially, a temporary bridge would be placed while the lab technician works on making the final bridge. 
6. Finally, the permanent bridge is fitted in the patient's mouth. The dentist will screw or cement it on the implants, along with a follow-up procedure.

An implant-supported bridge is better to choose when you have multiple missing teeth. Selecting a single tooth implant for each missing tooth would cost you more. And you'll require replacing each missing tooth with its implant and a crown. It would be more time-consuming and indeed costly. 

• Implant-Retained Denture for All Teeth 

Another type of dental implant is an implant-retained denture. It is a well-suited option for those with the most missing teeth in an arch, whether lower or upper. An implant-retained denture is also an option for patients who have lost their teeth. Sometimes, people lose all their teeth due to an accident, injury, trauma, or otherwise. An implant-retained denture can permanently secure your denture and won't slip or fall out. The traditional dentures are usually removable and could fall out while you talk or chew. Moreover, they are less comfortable and do not offer permanent teeth restoration.

• The implant-retained denture replaces both the tooth roots and crowns. It stimulates new bone growth using dental implants fused into the patient's jawbone. These dentures function better than traditional dentures and won't require a bonding agent time and again. These dentures are fixed and offer a permanent solution to your teeth loss. The procedure of an implant-retained denture is discussed below.                                                                              
• First, the dentist will strategically place four dental implants along your arch (lower or upper). 
• Sometimes is needed to allow the areas to heal. Till then, the dentist will modify your current denture so it doesn't disrupt the ongoing healing process. 
• Upon healing, a new custom denture will come into place. It will be designed to fit your facial aesthetics and permanently restore your missing teeth. 

Eligibility Criteria for Dental Implants 

Now, you are well aware of the different types of dental implants. Whether you lose one tooth or have multiple missing teeth, qualifying as a candidate for dental implants is essential. The factors that make you eligible for dental implants are listed below. 

• You have a healthy jawbone and gums. 
• You are in a good state of health. 
• You do not clench or grind your teeth. 
• You are a non-tobacco user. 
• You do not have any gum disease. 
• You have sufficient bone density. 

Final Words 

Dental implants are excellent tooth replacement options whether you have one or multiple missing teeth. Besides improving chewing function, dental implants are generally suitable for promoting oral health. Single-tooth dental implants are best to consider if you have a missing tooth. However, an implant-supported bridge or denture can help restore your smile for multiple missing teeth. If you are eligible for dental implants, visit your oral health professional today. Secure your smile and avail yourself of dental implants at your earliest.

Contact your dentist in Walnut Creek, Massood Darvishzadeh, DDS at Walnut Creek Dental, to know which Dental Implant is Best for You.

Resource:

How Much Do Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost?

*This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition*