The Types of Dental Implants Used to Replace Teeth
In case of tooth loss, your dentist may recommend dental implants to fill in the gaps in your smile. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants offer more excellent stability enabling you to eat, smile, and confidently interact.
Dental implants are effective when replacing missing teeth. It is a solution that aims to restore the natural appearance and function of teeth. Implants replace the natural root that falls out with the tooth. If you’re looking for dental implants near you, at Mountain Bay Dental Implants and Orthodontics, you’ll get an effective solution immediately.
To qualify for an implant, you must have healthy gums and enough bone to support the implant. You should also commit to keeping your implants healthy. Regular oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups ensure that your dental implants last long.
Types of Dental Implants
Below are the different types of dental implants.
Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant. They are the best option for most patients, but they require good, healthy jawbones. Your dentist surgically places the implants directly into the jawbone. After surrounding gum tissue has healed, a second surgery is needed to attach the post to the initial implant. Customized artificial teeth are then attached to the post individually.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants are the main alternative to endosteal implants. These implants are on the bone’s surface but under the gums. The metal frame is placed under the gums and is attached to a pillar. Gums heal around the frame to fix it permanently. In addition, customized artificial teeth are fixed to the dental posts rising from the gums.
The subperiosteal procedure fits a patient who does not have enough jawbone to place the implant or does not want to go through intensive oral surgery for a bone graft.
Zygomatic Implants
Zygomatic implants are unpopular as a tooth replacement procedure. They have the most complicated operation, and you should only proceed if you have enough jaw bone for these implants.
The implants are longer than usual. Instead of being on the jawbone, they are placed in your cheekbones, called the zygomatic arch, to provide a stable foundation for artificial teeth.
Techniques to Replace Missing Teeth
It’s essential to replace your missing teeth as soon as possible. Missing teeth may cause dental complications such as misalignment of the remaining teeth, loss of bone tissue, and a ruined smile. There are several options for replacing your teeth for those who have lost some natural teeth and do not want to try dental implants.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are ideal for people with missing front teeth. The prosthesis is worn during the day and removed at night while sleeping. Partial dentures are held together by metal buckles.
People can notice the metal clasps on your mouth when talking and smiling, making it the major drawback of partial dentures. Also, these dentures have to be taken out and cleaned and soaked in a unique solution overnight.
Full Dentures
Complete dentures are another popular technique for replacing teeth. Dentures are the most economical option for those trying to replace missing teeth if they have lost most of their natural teeth.
Complete dentures comprise a set of artificial teeth and a base holding the teeth in place and attaching them to the patient’s mouth. The drawback is that dentures’ bottom arc tends to move in the mouth and does not address the loss of bone tissue due to missing teeth.
Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are another prosthesis that can eliminate gaps in a smile. A bridge is a permanent solution that stays in once fixed by your dentist—bridges two teeth on either side closest to the gap as anchors. The teeth are called abutments, and for added support, they have enhanced protection with crowns.
The limitations of dental bridges are they don’t address the loss of bone tissue from missing teeth, difficulty to clean, and their’s alteration of abutments during installation. Therefore, dental bridges fit people with around two to five missing teeth adjacent to each other.
Our dentist in Los Gatos, CA, is glad to provide our services and help you achieve a perfect smile. So kindly schedule an appointment with us to learn more about teeth replacement.