The Various Types of Dental Implants to Choose From

Dental implants are prosthetic teeth used as a worthy replacement for missing natural teeth. They are highly recommended by dentists worldwide, making them the most sought-after teeth restorations. Dental implants can be classified based on various factors, such as their placement, structure, and application.

How are implants differentiated based on their placement?

In most cases of dental implantation, the metal stud will be placed in the jawbone after a small hole is made in it. The implant stud would have screw-like grooves on its surface, which help to hold it firmly in position and keep it from slipping or breaking. Such implants are called endosteal implants and are mostly made from titanium.

Patients who do not have enough jawbone volume would not be appropriate candidates for endosteal implants. Even if the implant is placed in the jawbone, there would be high chances for it to loosen from its socket or slip off. Hence, we offer an alternative in the form of subperiosteal implants, which are placed under the gums but just above the jawbone. Such implants are held in place by a metal framework, which makes it just as stable as a conventional dental implant.

Classification based on application

Conventional dental implants are placed in the jawbone and secured firmly with the help of dental adhesives. They are used to mount a ceramic crown, which acts as the replacement tooth. They are known to last for several years without any hassle and can be customized to mimic the appearance of the natural teeth perfectly.

Immediate load implants: Dental implants can also be used to place temporary teeth on the very day of the implantation surgery. This helps you avoid the embarrassment of going around with just an implant, but no crown attached to it. This can be done using immediate load dental implants.

Mini implants: Dental implants may also be used to hold prosthetic dentures firmly in place. Such dentures are called implant-supported dentures, which have slots under them where the implant studs fit in. Mini implants are just about 2 to 3 mm in diameter and require a minimal healing period.

All-on-4 implants: Patients with multiple missing teeth can also benefit from dental implants. However, placing single implants in place of the missing teeth would not be a feasible solution. Hence, all-on-4 implants can be used in this case, where the teeth from an entire dental ridge will be placed on just four implants. The best part about this means of teeth replacement is that it can be completed in a single visit to the dentist’s practice, allowing you to have a completely transformed smile in a short time span.

Implant-supported bridges: Dental bridges are the simplest replacement for missing natural teeth. They can be combined with dental implants to get implant-like stability while replacing multiple teeth in a series. Implant-supported bridges also help to prevent jawbone shrinkage by holding it intact.

Reach out to us at the earliest to get your missing teeth replaced by our dental experts. Call us at (718) 447-4510 or schedule an online appointment.