Dental implants are very common with over million Americans having at least one implant.
Single-tooth implants are the most frequently-used type of dental implant, and they have two main parts. The dental implant, or post, is a screw-shaped rod of titanium. The restoration for a single implant is usually a dental crown.
For the placement of a single dental implant, the post is permanently placed into your gum and jaw and allowed to heal. During healing, a dental crown is manufactured and will eventually be attached to the post with an “abutment.” This dental crown restores the shape, appearance, and function of your natural tooth. Single-tooth implants are extremely durable and long lasting, and they never move or shift, unlike a partial denture.
Full-arch implants are a good option if you are missing all or most of your natural teeth, and are interested in a more secure, long-lasting alternative to traditional dentures. They use a series of 4-6 dental implants per arch, which are strategically placed across the arch of your mouth.
These dental implants, or posts, function as artificial roots and allow for the attachment of a set of removable implant-supported overdentures or permanent fixed dental bridges to restore your smile. Compared to dentures, full-arch implants look and feel much more natural, and will never shift or move when you eat or speak.
Mini implants are similar to standard dental implants, but as the name suggests, they’re only about half of the size of a traditional implant. Because of this, the placement process is not as invasive as traditional implants, and mini implants can typically still be placed in your jaw even if it has been weakened by bone resorption after tooth loss.
While they can be used to restore one tooth or several missing teeth, mini implants are most commonly used to support a set of dentures in the lower jaw.
All-on-four implants are also known as implant-supported dentures. A patient can replace an entire arch or both arches of teeth with a denture that is securely held in place with 4 dental implants.
After implanting the titanium posts into the jaw bone, a fixed immediate denture is attached for an instant smile revival without the waiting time or excessive dental implants that will require a long recovery period.
All-on-four is a great tooth replacement option for patients who would like to get dentures but are concerned about shifting teeth, difficulty chewing and speaking clearly, and bone loss. In the past, setting an entire arch of teeth on a series of 4 dental implants was not possible.
To place an implant-supported denture, at least 6-8 dental implants were needed. However, it was discovered that if two of the dental implants in the back of the mouth were placed at a 45-degree angle, an entire arch of teeth could be supported.
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A dental implant is made of two parts: a small, screw-shaped piece of titanium called the post, and the restoration, which is usually a dental crown and abutment. Posts are manufactured in a variety of pre-selected sizes to ensure each patient gets the right implant for their needs. In contrast, the restoration is completely custom-made. After your dentist places your dental implant, they will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab.
There, a technician will create a long-lasting, durable dental implant restoration out of porcelain or another high-quality material. This restoration will be sent back to our office, and it will be attached to your dental implant, completing your implant procedure.
Dental implants typically last up to 30 years or more with proper placement and care. In fact, it’s very common for patients to keep their implants for the rest of their lives.
However, the dental implant restoration, such as a dental crown or set of overdentures, usually will not last this long. Your restoration is exposed to regular wear and tear from chewing, biting, and more, and may need to be replaced a few times over the years.
It is possible for dental implants to become infected. This is known as “peri-implantitis.” However, this is a very rare complication, and it typically only occurs if the implant is not cared for and kept clean after surgery.
You can avoid peri-implantitis by following your dentist’s instructions while recovering, and by brushing and flossing regularly after your implant has healed.
Yes. Bone loss occurs when your jaw bone is no longer stimulated by the natural pressure of chewing and biting. Your tooth transmits this force through the root and into your jaw bone, which keeps your jaw bone healthy.
When you lose a tooth, this process stops, and the jaw bone tends to weaken. Since the post of the dental implant is placed directly into the jaw bone and acts as a tooth root, it restimulates your jaw bone by transmitting the force of chewing and biting once again.
Some types of dental implant systems can be done in one day. The restoration is usually temporary until you have fully healed from your dental implant placement surgery. This solution allows you to speak and eat normally, however, the restoration is temporary.
As your mouth heals, you’ll attend appointments at your doctor’s office where impressions will be taken. These impressions will guide the manufacturing of your restoration. This permanent restoration will be a more durable, long-lasting, and natural-looking prosthetic than your temporaries.
Traditional dental implants last for an average of 25 years to life. While all-on-four implants have not been around long enough for us to have significant data on their longevity, they have been designed to last just as long or longer than traditional dental implants.
Considering all-on-four implants are structurally the same as traditional implants, they should last at least as long as traditional implants if they successfully fuse with the jawbone. With the data that has been collected on all-on-four implants since their introduction in 1998, they have a 98% success rate.
All-on-four implants have so many advantages over traditional dentures and traditional dental implants. Traditional removable dentures are often uncomfortable, difficult to chew and speak with, cause restrictions in your diet, can cause embarrassment from moving around in your mouth, and can cause considerable soreness.
Worst of all, however, traditional dentures accelerate bone loss. All-on-four implants hold your teeth securely in place, preserve the jaw bone, and look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth with no restrictions or discomfort.
Traditional dental implants, on the other hand, while excellent at replacing one or a few missing teeth, are not viable solutions for many missing teeth, as this would result in considerable oral surgeries, recovery time, and waiting periods.
All-on-four replaces an entire arch or both arches of teeth in a single appointment. Patients also don’t have to worry about the high maintenance cleaning regimens that removable dentures require, as these teeth will stay in place.
The best way to care for your all-on-four dental implants is to brush your teeth and floss properly. Brush your teeth just like you would with your natural teeth. This means brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for at least 2 minutes twice a day.
It’s also important to floss every day, but only once is necessary. We recommend that you use a water flosser instead of traditional thread floss, as it is more effective at removing food particles.
There is one special cleaning tool that we highly recommend for all-on-four implants and that is something known as a rubber tip gum stimulator which thoroughly removes food debris from the gum line around your dentures.
Avoid smoking, as this can prolong your recovery and ensure that you wear a mouthguard so you don’t damage your artificial teeth. You should visit the dentist for cleanings and checkups every 6 months.
Dental implants are the restorative option that preserves and stimulates your natural bone structure.