Oftentimes, procedures like dental crowns and dental bridges may require more sophisticated surgery to improve functionality, or when dentures fit improperly, as there may not be enough natural teeth for support. This is where dental implants surgery can be helpful.
Dental implants are metallic screwlike posts, mostly made of titanium, that replace damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth. These posts are attached to the jaw and are fused to a new replacement tooth with a connector or abutment. The surgery involves multiple procedures and can take several months, as the jawbone needs to heal around the implant.
Types of Dental Implants
Based on your requirements, your implantologist will determine which implants will be best suited for you. A Dental Implant can be used for a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even full-mouth implants, where the entire set of teeth is missing.
Single-Tooth Implant
For single-tooth replacement, the doctor places a single-tooth implant and cements a single crown.
Multiple-Tooth Implant
For more than one missing tooth, the doctor may go for multiple-tooth implants with custom-made teeth.
From a procedure standpoint, there are two types of implants, depending upon how teeth are attached to the jawbone:
Endosteal Implants
A more popular type of implant is applied in most cases. Endosteal implants involve inserting a small screw or cylinder into the jawbone to hold one or more replacement teeth.
Endosteal implants are recommended in case the patient already has dentures or bridges.
Subperiosteal Implants
In this type, the implant is actually placed on or above the jawbone. The metal post is placed under the gum and extends to hold it in place.
Subperiosteal implants are usually used when regular dentures can’t be worn or when there isn’t enough natural jawbone to place endosteal implants.
Different Dental Implants options for various needs
Based on your requirement, your doctor helps you choose the right dental implant from the following options:
Immediate-load Dental Implants
These are the simplest implant procedures, where implants and tooth replacement can be done in the same visit. Hence, these are also called same-day implants.
This option is suitable when you have sufficient natural and healthy bone, and the implant can be adequately secured to support the replacement tooth.
Mini Dental Implants (MDI)
As the name suggests, these are small implants that can be inserted with less invasive procedures than other implants.
The doctor may recommend these small implants in cases of higher bone loss and limited jawbone. These work better for loose dentures, fixing them in place and keeping them stable while eating or speaking.
All-on-4 & All-on-6 Dental Implants
The doctor may recommend All-on-4 or All-on-6 implants if a complete set of top or bottom replacement teeth is needed.
This is a slightly longer, more complex procedure in which the doctor first places four implants in the jawbone and adds custom abutments to hold temporary replacement teeth. The gum tissue is allowed to heal, and the implants bond with the natural bone over about 6 months, the healing period. During this period, the doctor will recommend a special diet to aid in the healing process.
After 6 months, the doctor will replace the temporary teeth with permanent replacements and allow a regular diet.
Other Procedures You May Have With Dental Implants
Apart from the regular dental implant surgery, your doctor may recommend other procedures to aid the implants:
Bone augmentation
This involves restoring or regenerating the bone to support the implants. This is recommended when there is not enough natural, healthy bone in your jaw to support your dental implants.
Sinus lift
If dental implants are to be placed in the upper back jaw, the doctor may recommend a sinus lift if there is insufficient bone quantity or quality. In such cases, your doctor performs a procedure called a sinus lift (since the upper back jaw is close to the sinus). It involves raising the sinus floor to create space for bone augmentation that can support dental implants.
Ridge Expansion
In case of deformities in the upper or lower jaw, your doctor may recommend a ridge modification. This is required if the jaw is too narrow to support implants. The procedure involves bone grafting, which means a bone graft is added to a small space along the top of your jaw (also called a ridge). Ridge expansion or ridge modification may improve the chances of a successful implant.
Conclusion
While crowns, bridges, and dentures aid day-to-day dental function, dental implants offer the best option for complex procedures and lasting benefits. Dental implants provide customised solutions to meet your individual needs and ensure you get that flawless smile with little worry. Our dental implant clinic in Kolkata can design a personalised treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals.
Consult Ur’s Toothfully Full Mouth Rehabilitation and Implant Centre for a stress-free procedure!
Choosing the right dental implant is essential to achieving a beautiful smile that lasts for years. We at Ur’s Toothfully Full Mouth Rehabilitation and Implant Centre specialise in addressing your dental woes with our custom dental implant options. Our experienced team of dentists is well-equipped with the latest technology and remains committed to a comfortable experience for our clients. Please schedule an appointment with us today!
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