The 3 Main Types of Dental Implant Treatment
01. Single Implants:
In conventional dentistry, a patient who has a single missing tooth would be fitted with a dental bridge. However, this type of treatment involved the “grinding” or reduction in size of the two adjacent healthy teeth. Restoration with dental implants is a preferred primarily because there is no need to reduce the adjacent teeth. The procedure involves placing a screw-shaped titanium implant into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. Over the next four to six months the implant fuses with the bone. Once the healing is complete, the dentist makes an incision in the gum tissue to reveal the head of the dental implant and fixes an abutment to it. A crown – which is fabricated from a block of ceramic material to accurately match the patient’s existing teeth – is fixed to the abutment with a bonding resin.
02. Multiple Implants:
A multiple implants can be used for individuals who have a number of adjacent teeth missing. Although, the number of implants needed is often less than the number of missing teeth. If two teeth are missing, an implant for each tooth will be inserted. For a row of three missing teeth, one implant on either side will be used to support a 3 unit bridge. For a 4 or 5 unit bridge usually only three implants are needed and only four implants are needed to replace six missing teeth in a row.
03. Full Arch Restoration – Implant Supported Over dentures:
Full arch implant restoration is can be used as an alternative to conventional dentures when a full row of teeth are missing or they need to be replaced. This involves placing 8 implants in the jawbone and fixing a permanent implant supported denture to act as a full row of upper or lower teeth. This is a permanent, stable solution that ensures the wearer. This type of restoration is a vast improvement over conventional dentures offering the wearer greater stability and the feel close to that of natural teeth. They also offer a much improved appearance compared to conventional dentures.
Dental implant restoration procedures are a great option for individuals with single or multiple missing teeth. With fully functional replacement teeth, they can eat, talk and laugh confidently in public. Moreover, dental implants help to preserve the natural shape of the jawbone and thereby prevent a prematurely aged appearance.
