Men and women with missing teeth face multiple problems, including low confidence, insecurity, refraining from smiling, and a failure to interact with others. And losing teeth can cause difficulty with chewing, proper eating habits, and proper digestion of the foods you eat.
If you have one or more teeth missing, chances are high your dentist or oral surgeon will suggest some form of dental implants. Here is some information about dental implants to familiarize yourself with the topic before your dental assessment.
Understanding a Dental Implant
Before choosing the right implant, you need to have a working knowledge of the different types. A dental implant replaces broken or lost teeth, serving as an artificial tooth to help give you a full complement of teeth and support your gums and jawbone. If you’ve been missing vital teeth for chewing or speaking clearly, you probably need a dental implant.
Modern advancements allow replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth for the restoration process. And the best news about these devices is that they’ll last a lifetime when properly cared for.
Different Dental Implant Types
There are primarily two types of dental implants to choose from to replace single and multiple teeth:
Titanium Dental Implant
Titanium dental implants are the most common type of dental currently used. They have a long track history of success. Currently, they are the most versatile solution for restoring teeth as well. Their metal substructures and components allow for restoration of many challenging cases.
Zirconia Dental Implants
Zirconia dental implants are a younger technology, but have been recently approved by the FDA for use in the US. Zirconia is a ceramometal, and so does have some of the unfortunate characteristics of ceramics such as brittleness. This characteristic limits the situations for which these implants can be used. In general, straightforward single tooth restorations can be treated with Zirconia implants. The proponents of zirconia state that they are more inert structures, and thus are less likely to elicit an allergic or inflammatory reaction. Zirconia implants to have the benefit of being white like teeth as well.
How to Choose the Best Dental Implant Procedure for Yourself
1. For a Single Tooth
A single tooth replacement requires one post and one crown. First, your oral surgeon installs the post into your jawbone. The entire process is painless, but may take up to four months to hold the crown. Then, your dentist will connect the crown to restore your tooth structure.
2. Implant-Supported Bridge for Multiple Teeth
For multiple lost teeth, an implant-supported bridge is the best option. Here, a bridge of crowns will connect in a series of dental implants.
But if your mouth has more significant gaps between stable teeth, you may need the next option.
3. Implant-Retained Denture for All Teeth
If you want fixed, permanent dentures, this is your best option.
Modern oral surgery has made it possible for customized dentures to fit the unique shape of your jaw and gums, and these dentures can be connected to the jaw with many different types of dental implant options. The tailored design will fit your precise aesthetics. If you wear removable dentures, this is a permanent solution.
Do You Need Dental Implants?
If missing teeth are affecting your quality of life, schedule a consultation for your dental implant today to determine your best choices for tooth replacement. During a consultation, patients meet with their Hill Country Oral Surgeon to discuss options in more detail. In addition, patients can ask questions about cosmetic goals and view before-and-after photos of similar procedures.
