Dental Implants: Types and Cost
A dental implant is a surgical component that is placed into and fuses over time with the jawbone and provides support for dental prostheses. The process by which a dental implant fuses with the jawbone is referred to as osseointegration. This produces a standalone root capable of replicating the function of a natural tooth root. There are different types of dental implants dentists use for replacing missing teeth. These come in different shapes and sizes, with the needs of individual patients. Here we discuss the types and options as well as the cost of different dental implants so let’s get into it.
Types of Dental Implants
There are two major types of dental implants that dentists have used over the years. These are:
Endosteal implant
The name basically means an implant that is placed “in the bone” – the jawbone in this case. Endosteal implants are the most popular among dentists today and are usually fashioned from titanium.
Subperiosteal implant
Better suited for patients with the little healthy natural jawbone. The subperiosteal
dental implants lie on or above the jawbone under the gum tissue.
This type is not commonly used anymore mainly because endosteal implants produce better long-term results.
What to Expect with Dental Implant Surgery
When implant surgery is planned there are multiple steps that are involved when dentists. The preparation to fix dental implants may even take several months to complete. Before the main surgery, your surgeon will examine your mouth and carry out imaging tests to have a better idea of the extent of the damage and the amount of work needed.
The surgery often commences with the extraction of any damaged tooth where the implant is to be placed. Following this, most patients will need to undergo bone grafting procedure, especially when there is both a missing tooth and bone loss. The surgeon places an “alveolar bone” graft on top of the existing jawbone and then waits for the area to heal.
You are ready to receive your dental implant once there is sufficient, sturdy bone to support it. That can only happen after the place has properly healed following your tooth removal and bone grafting. After placing the implant in your jawbone, your surgeon places an attachment, referred to as a healing cap.
Then stitches up your gum. The healing phase begins after placing the implant and it can last up to six months. Placement of an abutment and a replacement tooth or “crown” follow after the prosthesis fuses with your jawbone.
Dental Implant Options
There are a variety of options available today as alternatives to the traditional dental implant procedure that involves multiple steps that take several months to complete. These include:
Immediate load implants
These may work for patients who have adequate natural bone and a secure implant that can support an artificial tooth.
Immediate load implants, also known as same-day implants, enable dentists to fix a temporary tooth during implant placement appointment.
All-on-4 implants
This is perfect for patients who have lost all teeth in their upper or lower arch. All-on-4
removes the need for a bone graft procedure.
This technique involves placing four implants in strategic areas having strong bone and fixing a temporary set of artificial teeth to them. Permanent teeth are placed on the implant after some months when the components have fused well into the jawbone.
Mini dental implants
Commonly used to move or keep a denture in the desired position. Mini dental
implants (MDIs) are narrow-diameter implants, narrower than most others. They are used in less invasive procedures and are often removed once their purpose has been served.
If you are not considered an ideal candidate for a dental implant, other techniques that can be used to achieve similar purposes include:
- Sinus lift
- Bone augmentation
- Ridge expansion
Our Harrisburg NC Dentist Office
To learn more about dental treatments from Icard & Strein Family Dentistry, or to schedule an appointment, call our Harrisburg, NC dental office today at 704.455.5003.
