A Guide on the Common Types of Dental Implants

Why are dental implants so expensive?

Dental implants cost more than other types of tooth replacement because they’re made to last a lifetime. There are also several steps that have to be completed before the implant surgery can take place. Patients will be paying for custom-made crowns, x-rays, 3D imaging, and multiple appointments.

If you think you’re a good candidate for implants, then this article is for you. You deserve to love the way your smile looks and feels.

Read on to learn about the different types of dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a lot like artificial tooth roots. The implants have a shape that’s a lot like a screw.

When a dental implant is in your jawbone, they naturally bond with your bone. They create a sturdy foundation for supporting one or multiple artificial teeth.

Artificial teeth are crowns. A connector, known as an abutment, sits on top of the dental implant.

The abutment helps hold your crowns in place. Each crown is custom-made so that it’ll match your natural teeth and fit your bite. Having a healthy bite plays a big role in your overall health.

Thankfully, modern dental implants have improved a lot over the last few decades. Now they provide some of the strongest devices available to support replacement teeth.

Even better, implants give you the ability to have new teeth that look and feel natural. When performed by an experienced professional, implant surgery is one of the safest and most predictable treatments in dentistry.

Main Types of Dental Implants

There are 2 main types of dental implants. The two primary choices are endosteal and subperiosteal.

Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants fit directly in the jaw bone. These implants are usually made of titanium. Endosteal implants use small screws, and they’re one of the most popular choices.

Subperiosteal Implants

subperiosteal implants fit under the gum, on or above the jawbone. If a patient’s jaw bone isn’t healthy enough to support endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants are a great alternative. Instead of having to go through a bone augmentation to rebuild their jaw bone, the patient can get an immediate solution.

Alternatives to Dental Implants

The health of your jawbone is going to play a big role in the type of implants you can receive. Depending on the condition of your jawbone and your specific needs, your dentist might suggest alternative treatment options.

Instead of undergoing a traditional multi-step dental implant procedure, you can look for other methods of resolution. For instance, your dentist might suggest bone augmentation.

Bone augmentation involves regenerating or restoring the bone in your jaw. This will help strengthen your jaw so that it’ll be able to support implants. By using growth factors and bone additives, your dentist will be able to help you fortify your jawbone.

Sinus Lift

Another alternative option is the sinus lift. A sinus lift or sinus augmentation involves adding bone below the sinus. The sinus lift is most helpful when the natural bone is deteriorating because the upper back teeth are missing.

Finally, another alternative treatment is ridge expansion. Some patients don’t have a jaw that’s wide enough to support dental implants. Bone graft material can help create a small ridge or space that widens the top of your jaw.

What About Same-Day Implants?

Thanks to state-of-the-art 3D digital imaging, implant surgical planning is now faster than ever. Your dentist can use the latest tools and technology to analyze the anatomy of your jaw.

From there, they’ll be able to determine the best site for your implant before surgery. This helps save a ton of time and money, and it improves the recovery window. Additionally, 3D imaging makes it possible to provide patients with same-day implants.

Who Qualifies?

The same date implant means that you’ll receive a temporary tooth during the same appointment as your dental implant procedure. Same-day implants are a great option for people who have healthy jaw bones. When there’s enough natural bone to secure the implant, you’ll be able to support an immediate placement.

Mini Dental Implants

Did you need to stabilize a lower denture? Then you could qualify for mini dental implants; there are same-day procedures too. Sometimes many dental implants are called narrow-diameter implants or small implants.

Micro implants are the size of a toothpick, making them much narrower than traditional implants. They allow dentists to secure your lower denture in a non-invasive way.

All on 4 Dental Implants

Did you want a more inclusive same-day option? You could also look into getting all-on-four implants.

All on four is a great alternative to placing the bottom or top set of replacement teeth. It’s a way of creating a full arch.

You’ll be receiving four dental implants directly in your jawbone. This helps eliminate the need for bone grafting. Especially designed abutments make it possible for you to receive replacement teeth on the same day.

You’ll need to follow a modified diet while you’re gum tissues heal. The implants will begin to bond naturally with your jawbone.

After about six months, your permanent teeth will beready. From there, you can resume your traditional diet.

Exploring Dental Implant Options

You might be wondering, can a dental implant fall out? While it’s uncommon, it is possible for an implant to fall out.

An implant might fall out if it’s improperly placed or the dentist uses low-quality implants. To avoid this, make sure you find a dentist nearby who has quality implant materials.

How much does it cost to get a full mouth of implants?

The cost of dental implants depends on the procedure you’re getting and how many appointments you’ll need. Generally, implant placement will cost around $2,000.

If there’s a bone graft needed, you can add $1,500. Finally, a single crown can cost as much as $2,500.

To get implants for your full mouth, you could wind up spending close to $50,000. If you have dental insurance, it might help cover part of the procedure.

Have Natural Looking Beautiful Teeth

What are you waiting for? Now’s the perfect time to reach out to a dental implant professional.

Start exploring your options, and find out what types of dental implants you’re eligible for. You might not need a full set of replacement teeth, and there are a ton of cost, affordable same-day options.

You deserve to have beautiful teeth, so make the phone call today. The sooner you schedule your first dentist appointment, the better you’ll feel about your future.

If you want more tips, we’re here to help. Just check out the rest of our website.