How Do I Know Which Implants Will Better My Oral Health?

Dental implants are artificial roots for teeth, offering a permanent solution for replacing lost teeth. They usually feature titanium, a biocompatible material that allows the implant to fuse naturally with the bone in osseointegration.

Understanding How Dental Implants Function

Dental implants in Farmington, NY, consist of small posts that dentists or oral surgeons surgically insert into the jaw and underneath the gum tissue, replacing a missing tooth. An implant becomes your new root system after tooth loss, usually supporting a dental restoration of choice. Once the surgeon has firmly erected the post in the bone, the next step entails placing a replacement tooth, called a dental crown.

The Procedure for Getting Dental Implants

The implant placement procedure typically involves several steps and can take several months to complete:

Consultation:

The dentist will first evaluate your oral to qualify you for dental implants. The exam checks your mouth through X-rays or CT scans, allowing the dentist to discuss your medical and dental history.

Treatment plan:

After a dental exam, your dentist develops a plan of action that outlines crucial information regarding your treatment, including the number of implants, the suitable type, and the restoration (crown, bridge, or denture).

Implantation surgery:

It involves making a small incision in the gum tissue and drilling a hole in the jawbone for the implant. The dentist then inserts the implant into the hole and closes the gum tissue with sutures.

Healing and osseointegration:

Your oral surgeon accounts for the healing period between treatments. For the next several months, the dental implant dentist near you will have you go home, allowing the implant wound to heal and integrate with the jawbone in an osseointegration process. You need between 3 and 4 months to create a strong and durable foundation for placing a dental crown, denture, or bridgework.

Abutment placement:

A small connector attaches to the implant fused in your jawbone, connecting the implant and a dental crown or denture.

Crowning the artificial tooth:

The final step to complete the tooth replacement treatment entails placing a dental restoration over the implant. Your dentist will determine the best restoration based on the number of missing teeth. Further, the dentist customizes the dental restoration to match natural teeth’ color, shape, and size for a seamless and natural-looking smile.

Types of Dental Implants

The different tooth implants differ based on technique, materials, size, and shape. The common types of dental implants at Mark DiMartino DDS are:

Endosteal implants –

Are the most popular, where an oral surgeon places a dental implant into the jawbone through surgery. Endosteal implants resemble small screws, cylinders, or plates featuring biocompatible materials like titanium. Endosteal implants can support a single tooth, a bridge, or a denture.

Subperiosteal implants –

They are a little different in technique. Instead of erecting them in the jawbone, a dentist inserts a subperiosteal implant under the gum tissue but above the jawbone. The dentist will install a metal framework into the jawbone allowing the gums to heal around it. Dentists recommend subperiosteal implants to patients with hardly enough healthy jawbones to support endosteal implants.

Zygomatic implants –

Are tooth implants ideal for cases of severe bone loss, particularly in the upper jaw. Patients with such insufficient bone tissue cannot support endosteal implants.

All-on-4 implant technique

Consists of replacing several missing teeth, usually an entire arch of teeth. The method entails supporting a denture with just four implants. All-on-4 implants are an alternative to traditional dentures for those without most or all of their natural teeth.

How to Choose the Right Dental Implant

When selecting the right dental implant to replace your teeth, account for crucial factors like:

Bone density and quality:

A dentist typically assesses your jawbone to evaluate density and quality. The evaluation will help determine if you are a good candidate so (s)he can recommend the best implant suited for your needs.

Location and number of missing teeth:

An implant-supported bridge or denture may be better than a single one for multiple missing teeth.

Health conditions:

Underlying health problems like uncontrolled diabetes or cancer may impact the healing and success of the implant.

Budget:

The implant costs can vary depending on the type and number of artificial tooth roots needed.

Conclusion

Usually, dentists use implants to replace a single missing tooth at a time. For multiple missing teeth or restoring an entire arch of teeth, your dentist will need to customize your treatment differently.