Dental Implants | Implant Types, Treatment and Recovery Guide

If you are missing teeth, you may consider dental implants to restore your smile. Dental implants are gradually replacing traditional tooth replacement methods such as dentures. Implants are a permanent option that can usually be installed quickly by the dentist.

Even though this technique is gaining popularity, there is a lot a patient needs to know before getting dental implants. This includes information on the various types of dental implants available, their costs, how to care for them after they are placed, and how to recover from them.

Dental implants are artificial dental roots that hold a replacement tooth or teeth in place. They either prevent or reverse jawbone loss. The implantation procedure is prosthetic (artificial replacement) and cosmetic.

People who have lost teeth may be unable to smile or speak because they are embarrassed. Tooth loss can also make it difficult to bite appropriately, leading to poor eating habits and other health problems such as malnutrition.

Following a dental implant, you may experience several negative consequences, including:

• Gum bruising
• Gums that are swollen
• Bleeding gums
• Pain in the area around the implant.

Remember that these adverse effects should go away after a few days. If these symptoms persist or worsen, contact your dentist.

Dentists can help with recovery in a variety of ways. Most dentists, for example, use sutures that dissolve on their own.

You should avoid chewy and hard foods like candies and potato chips for several days after surgery.

Even after the implants have healed completely, you must return to the dentist every six months for checkups.

Types of Dental implants

The three most common types of dental implants are endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic. Endosteal is the most common and safe method. Subperiosteal comes next, and zygomatic is the most complicated.

1. Endosteum Implants

They are used to secure objects and resemble screws. They place something inside the jaw where the dentures will go. For most patients to qualify, the post must be able to fuse to a sound, healthy jawbone.

Once the wound has healed, the artificial teeth can be attached to the implant to match the natural teeth.

If the idea of having something implanted into your jawbone bothers you, you might be more interested in the second most common implant.

2. Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are surgically implanted outside of the jawbone. They sit atop the bone but beneath the gums.

False teeth are attached to poles that stem from the gums. Under the gum is a metal frame with a post. As the gum heals around it, the structure remains in place. This procedure is performed if the patient does not have enough jawbone for an implant or does not want to undergo major oral surgery to add bone to the area. If this describes you, the following implant might be a good choice.

3. Zygoma Implants

The implant is placed in the cheekbone rather than the patient’s jawbone.

You may be interested in learning how implants are inserted now that you are familiar with the three types of implants.

Tooth Replacement Implants

Each person’s dental implant procedure will most likely be unique. One factor that could impact this is the number of teeth that need to be replaced.

Sinus Enhancement

Because of the location of the sinuses, implant placement in the upper jawbone is typically tricky. The surgeon may need to perform a sinus augmentation, a procedure that raises the floor of the sinuses to allow more bone to grow for the implantation to be successful.

Ridge Augmentation

Some people have jawbone problems that prevent them from growing enough bone for an implant. Lifting the gum to expose the malformed bone accomplishes this. This strengthens the jawbone, allowing for dental implant surgery. The area will be repaired and rebuilt with bone or a bone replacement.

Dental Implant Sizes

Historically, the size of an implant was primarily determined by the bone volume’s height, width, and length. Because of the mandibular canal and maxillary sinus constraints, the dentist would choose longer implants for the front of the mouth and shorter implants for the back. The width of the available bone would also determine the breadth of the implant during surgery. A 4-mm implant is typically used.

Biomechanics-based dental implant treatment strategies have been proposed to reduce stress-related common disorders over the years. The first step is to plan the prosthesis. This includes deciding whether the replacement is permanent or removable, the number of teeth replaced, and the prosthesis’s aesthetics. The patient force factors are then applied to the restoration to determine the amount and type of force applied. The major implant placements and quantity are then determined based on the patient’s force factors and bone density at the implant sites. Bone density is measured in potential implant locations. For example, if the patient is paralyzed, the bone is less dense, or there is a cantilever, the increased force on the implant abutments will result in a more strained implant-bone interface.

The implant size is the next factor in this ideal treatment strategy. A comprehensive approach to dental implant overall size begins with identifying the clinical issues that must be addressed. Aesthetic concerns about the implant’s size are also important considerations in the evaluation. Dental implants are intended to transfer loads to the living tissues surrounding them. The biomechanical load management is determined by two factors: the type of applied force and the functional surface area across which the load is distributed. The active surface area of the prosthesis is directly proportional to the size of the implant. Thus, the required clinical outcomes are achieved by combining fundamental science concepts such as force and surface area with engineering concepts.

In a two-stage healing plan, the ideal length for an implant is between 12 mm and 16 mm. The longer the implant, the softer the bone. If the bite force is greater, the implant will be longer.

Molar Implants

Molars are the broad and flat back teeth. Your molars aid in food digestion, making it easier to swallow.

Chewing food is much more difficult without molars. Crunchy or tough vegetables, fruits, and other foods can be challenging to chew. Because you have difficulty chewing, you may need to eat only soft foods. It is critical to have backup plans in place in these situations.

Dental implants are man-made tooth roots that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Dental implants function similarly to natural tooth roots once implanted. Patients will have a more appealing smile and can eat as they did before tooth loss.

Because the dental implant requires time to integrate with the jawbone, the entire treatment will take several months. This is referred to as osseointegration.

Dental Implant Anchors

Conventional dentures may not always stay in place if they are not secured. They are both irritated and depressed by this movement. As a result, some people may decide not to wear them at all.

This can be changed if dental implants are used to secure the dentures. Dental implants surgically implanted into the jaw hold anchored dentures in place. The dentures now have a firm bite because they are securely attached to the jawbone. You will have an easier time speaking, chewing, and going about your daily activities with anchored dentures.

Replace Missing Teeth

Dental implants are effective for replacing a single tooth but are not always the best option for replacing multiple teeth. Dental implants, on the other hand, are not for everyone because they require surgery and are typically more expensive than bridges or dentures.