There are a number of different dental implants. The kind that you will get will depend on a number of different factors such as what kind of work you need to get done and how strong your jawbone is. Your jawbone needs to have enough bone, and it also needs to be strong enough for the implants to go.
Dental implants also come in different sizes and heights. Your dentist will be able to help you decide which implants will be the best fit for you. The two main types of dental implants are endosteal and subperiosteal.
Endosteal implants are placed inside the jawbone and are typically made of titanium. They are also shaped like little screws and are the most commonly used implants.
Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gum and on or above the jawbone. They are the option that is used for patients who do not have a healthy enough jawbone or who do not want to have a bone augmentation procedure done.
If the jawbone is not ideal for dental implants, there are several techniques available to rebuild the bone and to restore the natural jawline to provide a strong enough foundation for teeth supported by implants. There is bone augmentation, a sinus lift, and ridge expansion.
Bone augmentation is when the bone in your jaw is restored or regenerated when it cannot support implants otherwise. Using bone additives and growth factors to help fortify the bone often achieves the best results.
A sinus lift is also known as a sinus elevation or sinus augmentation and involves adding bine below the sinus when the natural bone has deteriorated because of missing upper back teeth.
Dentistry is quite technologically-advanced and precise, and dentists use surgical planning software to give all of their patients a customized treatment plan. No two people are exactly alike, and even twins have different mouths and teeth and will need to get a customized implant procedure completed in order to give them the best solution to their dental issues. Your dentist will use state-of-the-art tools and imaging to analyze the anatomy of your jawline and to determine the best location for the implants. This actually saves not only time but helps to reduce the overall cost as well.
There are alternative dental implant techniques and depending on the health of your jawbone and your needs, you may need to get immediate load dental implants or mini dental implants, also known as MDIs. There is also an alternative known as All-on-4 which involves placing four dental implants in one bone.
This procedure makes it so that you do not need bone grafting. Special abutments are also used that will temporarily set the replacement teeth can be placed on the same day. You will need to follow a certain diet until your gum tissues can heal and bond to the natural boned in your mouth. Dental implants make it possible to get the smile that you have always wanted and will give you healthier teeth.