DENTAL IMPLANT OPTIONS

DENTAL IMPLANTS: WHAT TO EXPECT?

Teeth restored with dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth. You brush, floss and visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings, same as you would to care for a natural tooth. The process is often completed over multiple visits:

Consultation and planning
Including initial exam, imaging of your teeth, questions about your dental and medical history, and discussion of your treatment options.

Placement of the dental implant(s)
The dental implant, usually a cylindrical and/or tapered post made of titanium, is placed surgically into the jawbone.

Placement of the abutments
Placement of abutments or connectors placed on, or built into, the top of the implant to help connect your replacement teeth, if needed. Additional connecting devices needed to attach multiple replacement teeth to the implants also may be placed at this time.

Placement of custom-made individual replacement tooth (or teeth)
Placement of custom-made individual replacement tooth (or teeth) or an implant-supported fixed bridge or implant-supported overdenture.

As you heal, your implant will integrate or fuse with your natural jawbone. Temporary teeth can be placed while the dental implant integrates with your natural bone. This healing process can take weeks to months while you proceed with your everyday life in between appointments.

Most people return to work the next day, and any discomfort can typically be treated with commonly used pain medication.

DENTAL IMPLANT OPTIONS

The dental implant, typically made of titanium, is placed in the jawbone and fuses, or integrates with your natural bone. The dental implant forms the stable and sturdy base for your replacement teeth.

Single Tooth
There is no better, long-lasting option to restoring a missing tooth than a dental implant fitted with a crown.

Multiple Teeth
If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges or partial denture can replace them. An implant-supported fixed bridge or partial gives your teeth a level of fit, feel and functionality that is not possible with other treatment options. In addition, because implant-supported bridges will replace some of your tooth roots, your bone is better preserved.

All Teeth (Full Denture) or All-on-4 and All-on-6
All-on-4 or All-on-6 are alternative approaches to place a full denture (top or bottom set) on either 4 or 6 implants. The All-on-4 and All-on-6 concepts involve placing 4-6 implants in available bone, thereby limiting the need for bone grafting. Special abutments allow a temporary set of replacement teeth to be placed the same day and used with a modified diet while gum tissues heal and the implants integrate with natural bone. After about six months, the final teeth are then placed and the patient is able to resume a normal diet.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

Immediate Load Dental Implants (Same Day Implants)
Immediate Load Dental Implants (Same Day Implants), also called “same day implants” allow placement of the permanent crown during the same appointment as dental implant placement. The procedure is best for patients who have enough natural bone and an implant that is stable enough to support immediate crown placement.

Mini dental implants (MDIs)
Mini dental implants (MDIs), sometimes referred to as small diameter or narrow diameter implants (SDIs or NDIs), are dental implants that are smaller than the most commonly used dental implant sizes. Mini implants are placed through less-invasive techniques and measure less than 3 millimeters in diameter. Standard implants are slightly larger, usually 3.25–5 millimeters in diameter. Mini implants are often used to secure a complete lower or loose denture and in patients who are not candidates for traditional dental implant surgery.