“Dental implants” aren’t a single entity. Instead, there are various dental implant systems made up of different components that can be used to craft the perfect smile.
Below is information about not only the different dental implant systems that may be available to meet your needs, but also why you need a tooth or teeth replacement if you have a missing tooth or teeth, what dental implants are to begin with, and how to determine which option is best for you.
Do I Need a Tooth Replacement?
While in an ideal situation, your dentist will save your tooth, this isn’t always a possibility. If your tooth is damaged and needs to be extracted (or it falls out), you’ll need to consider a tooth replacement.
There are a few different options that may be available for tooth or teeth replacement, which include dental implants, a dental bridge, or even dentures. Each of these options comes with its advantages and disadvantages (although dental implants are usually the preferred choice when possible).
You may be wondering why it is so important to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Sure, it’s cosmetically unappealing to have a gap in your smile, but are missing teeth a serious issue? The answer is a resounding, “Yes.” You need to replace missing teeth for more than just cosmetic reasons.
What many people don’t realize is teeth help to hold each other in place. If a tooth or multiple teeth are missing, the surrounding, healthy teeth will start to migrate. This ends up leading to crookedness and crowding. In turn, it becomes much more difficult to brush and floss, which increases the risk of oral health conditions. Your teeth also help to keep your jawbone strong, so having missing teeth can actually cause your bone density to wear away over time. This leads to changes in the way your face looks. Finally, having a full row of teeth can help with boosting self-confidence and self-esteem.
If you have a tooth that has fallen out, been extracted, or been knocked out, you need to reach out to your dentist to discuss replacement options. One extremely popular and effective tooth replacement solution is dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a tooth replacement option that involves the placement of a rod in the jawbone of a patient to hold a prosthetic crown in place (but can also be used to hold multiple teeth in place).
Once the implant has been placed, it fuses to the jawbone. This helps to provide additional strength and security that other teeth replacement options can’t provide.
There are a few parts that generally make up an implant which include the rod, an abutment, and a crown. Together, these make up a dental implant system.
When it comes to dental implants, there are different choices that can be made. These include things like the materials used for the crown, the rods, and more.
Different Dental Implant Systems
After you’ve visited your dentist for an initial examination and they’ve decided that you are a good candidate for implants, you’ll likely be met with a variety of different options for your dental implant system. Each of these selections has its advantages and disadvantages that you’ll need to consider.
Below are various aspects of dental implant systems and their benefits:
Screw-Retained Implants: Screw-retained implants are easily retrievable and helpful when there are more abutments required. They are easier to remove, clean, and maintain.
One of the main disadvantages of screw-retained implants is how difficult the placement of these implants may be. Screw-retained implants often take extra steps, making them a less appealing option.
Cementable Abutments: These implant options are a popular choice, as they are cost-effective, reliable, and easy to retrieve (in case a replacement is needed). Cementable abutments are a great choice for multi-unit restorations and are easy to place. The placement process itself is similar to the placement of a dental bridge.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that excess cement may occur, which can damage the peri-implant tissue.
Custom Abutments: Custom abutments are an excellent choice for bone- or tissue-level implants and can be shaped to fit the crest of the tissue wonderfully.
These abutments generally are easier and take less time to place. The main materials that may be used include titanium and zirconia. Custom abutments are great for tissue health and management.
One downside to consider is the cost. As they are custom-made, they are often more expensive than stock abutments.
Stock Abutments: Stock abutments are a standard size and are excellent for bone- and tissue-level implants. These also pair well with cement-retained restoration options.
There are some downsides to consider when it comes to stock abutments. These include the inability to control the final margin placement of the crown (which means fitting may take more time) and the fact that they may not be the best choice when being used within the aesthetic zone.
Implant Material
The material of the implant itself is an important choice you’ll need to make. There are actually a few main materials that you may be able to choose between. These include:
- Titanium Implants: Titanium is the default material that most dentists use for dental implants. These implants are generally very successful when it comes to integration with the jawbone. Titanium is also a very strong material, which generally leads to the implant lasting a long time. With all of that said, there are some patients who have a titanium allergy and cannot use the material.
- Zirconia Implants: Zirconia is an excellent option that is metal-free—making it a great alternative for those with a titanium allergy. They also have a more natural color, leading to a more organic look. The main drawback to Zirconia implants is that they are a single piece instead of multiple, which can make them more difficult to install.
- Ceramic Implants: Ceramic is another option that is metal-free and similar in many ways to zirconium. While their main benefit is being metal-free, it’s important to understand they are also less durable than titanium implants and may be more expensive.
Types of Crowns
The type of crown you go with is an important one. Not only does it determine the strength of the replacement “tooth”, but also the appearance.
Here are the different types of crowns you may choose between, along with their pros and cons:
- Porcelain: Porcelain crowns are very natural-looking, durable, and biocompatible. With that said, they are a more expensive option and can cause wear to other teeth over time.
- Lithium Disilicate: Lithium disilicate (max crowns) have a high level of biocompatibility and are more durable than porcelain but are weaker than zirconia crowns.
- Full Contour Zirconia: Full contour zirconia crowns are a very aesthetically appealing option. With that said, the material may wear on other teeth.
- Gold: Gold crowns are strong, but also very easy to notice. While some people like the way gold crowns look, for those looking for a more natural-looking option these aren’t a good choice.
Intraoral Scans
Dental implants were traditionally designed with the help of physical impressions. Over time, though, the popularity of intraoral scans has grown. This model-less impression technology is able to scan the mouth of a patient to capture the data required to create a beautiful tooth restoration.
Some of the benefits of intraoral scans include:
- Comfort: Intraoral scans are a lot more comfortable for patients, especially those that have a strong gag reflex and/or a smaller mouth.
- Accuracy: Intraoral scans are very accurate. This leads to a better overall fit.
- Time: Intraoral scans can be sent digitally, which cuts down on lab times. They also often will lead to fewer remakes (due to their accuracy).
Can I Avoid Implants?
In order to avoid implants, make sure you take good care of your oral health, which includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day. You should also visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup. If they determine you need additional services (like a filling or root canal), make sure you complete those as soon as possible. This can help to avoid the condition worsening to the point where a tooth falls out or needs to be extracted.
How Do I Determine Which Is Right for Me?
In order to decide which dental implant system is right for you, you’ll need to speak with your dentist and consider various factors. For instance, cost, material preferences, and even allergies will need to be considered. Each decision you make will have its pros and cons, and there is no “perfect” choice.
In order to make the choice that is right for you and your specific needs, set an appointment today. We’ll have an expert dentist take a look and see which options are available for you. From there, your dentist and you can determine which dental implant system is best for you.
We look forward to speaking with you and helping to design your dental implant system.
