What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants restore the natural look and feel of your teeth through the surgical placement of metal posts into your jawbone, which replacement teeth are then mounted onto. Unlike bridges or dentures, which can shift or slip in your mouth, dental implants are fused to your jawbone, providing optimal stability and support. Patients who have dental implants placed enjoy an improved ability to speak and eat and decrease their risk of developing oral health issues that can occur when a tooth or teeth is missing for an extended period of time.

Although dental implants are a safe and effective method for improving your oral health and restoring the cosmetic appearance of your smile, it is important to understand they are not a viable option for all patients. For example, patients who have experienced significant jawbone loss may not have enough bone remaining to adequately support a dental implant; however, it is possible to create the necessary amount of jawbone with a dental bone graft. In other cases, patients with milder issues, such as moderate decay or small cracks that have formed on their teeth may be better candidates for less intensive procedures, such dental bonding.  Prior to placing an implant, it will be necessary to conduct a thorough examination to determine if they are a viable option.

Types of Dental Implants

According to the American Dental Association, the following two implant types are safe treatment options for replacing teeth:

• Endosteal Implants: Implants are surgically implanted into your jawbone, and once the area heals, a follow up procedure is performed that connects a post to the implant. Once this post is secured, an artificial tooth is attached. The attached tooth can either be done individually or grouped on a denture or bridge.
• Subperiosteal Implants: A metal frame is placed below the gum tissue onto your jawbone. During the healing process, this frame becomes fixed to your jawbone, after which posts are placed, to which artificial teeth can be mounted.

Alternative to Dental Implants

Patients who have experienced jawbone loss due to teeth being missing for an extended period of time, or patients whose adjacent teeth require crowns or caps may not be viable candidates for dental implants. Fortunately, there are other options, including a dental bone grafting procedure to increase the amount of jawbone, dentures, and/ or dental bridges.

Dental bridges replace one or multiple teeth with the support of implants, natural teeth, or a combination of both using abutments that are placed over healthy teeth on either side of the gap. There are different types of bridges to address different oral health needs, including traditional, Maryland, cantilever, and implant-supported bridges. Bridges are typically made of zirconia or porcelain, and the crown is generally made of porcelain.

There are a range of unique benefits and drawbacks to either dental implants or dental bridges, but both are effective treatment options for patients who are missing one or multiple teeth. Talk to your dentist or periodontist about which treatment option is right for you.