Whether one tooth or multiple teeth have been extracted, knocked out, or have fallen out, they need to be replaced. There are a whole host of health issues that can occur if missing teeth aren’t replaced.
When you make the decision to replace your missing tooth or teeth, you’ll likely be met with a variety of different options. One popular option is dental implants. But what are implants? What are they made up of? And are they the right choice?
Below is helpful information about dental implants, including what they are, different dental implant systems, and some considerations to see if they are the right choice for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
Essentially, dental implants are a tooth replacement choice that involves the placement of a rod or rods in the jawbone of the patient to hold in place one or more missing teeth. They can be made with a variety of different materials, as can the prosthetic tooth or teeth that sit on top of them.
Dental implants provide an unmatched level of stability, strength, and longevity when compared to other replacement options. As the rod is installed into the jawbone of the patient, it fuses with the jaw over time—making it extremely well-rooted and secure.
Do I Need Dental Implants?
Whether you “need” dental implants is a little bit complex of a question. While you may not need implants specifically, you do need to replace your missing tooth or teeth. There are a few reasons for this.
One major reason for replacing your missing tooth or teeth is teeth migration. Over time, your teeth will likely shift and drift if you have a gap between teeth. This leads to crookedness, crowding, and impacting. Not only is this aesthetically unappealing, but it can also lead to some severe oral health consequences down the line.
With extremely crooked or crowded teeth, it can become much more difficult to properly brush and floss. This can lead to cavities, infection, and disease. These issues, in turn, can lead to procedures that range from the filling of a cavity to dental extraction.
Another major reason to replace a missing tooth or teeth is jawbone deterioration. Without a tooth or a replacement, your jawbone will begin to deteriorate over time. Dental implants are particularly helpful in avoiding this deterioration and keeping your jawbone strong.
Different Dental Implant Systems (and Their Benefits)
If your dentist and you decide that dental implants are the right choice for you, you may be met with a variety of different options. Dental implant systems vary, and every element has its benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to keep these in mind when choosing the materials for your dental implant system.
Below are the different aspects of dental implant systems, along with their benefits:
- Cementable Abutments
- These abutments are a popular choice. They are cost-effective and are very reliable. Cementable abutments are easy to place and are a good option for multi-unit restorations.
- One of the drawbacks of cementable abutments is the danger of excess cement that can damage the peri-implant tissue, due to the excess cement extruding into the sulcus.
- Screw-Retained Implants
- Screw-retained implants are an outstanding option for patients as well (although not as popular as cementable abutments). Screw-retained implants are ideal for situations where there are more abutments required, as they are easily retrievable. They are also much easier than other options to remove when maintenance and cleaning are required.
- The main disadvantage of screw-retained implants is the difficulty of placement. Generally, it takes extra steps, making it a more difficult placement option.
The next decision when it comes to your dental implant system is whether you want to choose a custom or stock abutment. Here are some of the main differences:
- Stock Abutments
- Stock abutments are excellent for bone and tissue-level implants. They are user-friendly, easier to take impressions, and are standardized. These often go well with cement-retained restoration options. Stock abutments allow for the option to choose between angled and straight abutments. Another advantage is that stock abutments are also more cost-friendly than custom abutments, which will generally cost more.
- While there are some major advantages to stock abutments, there are also some disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages is that the final margin placement of the crown can’t be controlled—meaning the correct fit can take longer. Also, they may not be the best choice for use within the aesthetic zone.
- Custom Abutments
- For a greater level of customization, you will want to choose custom abutments. This option is good for bone or tissue-level implants. They may take less time to place, can be shaped to fit the crest of the tissue extremely well, and are good for tissue management/health.
- While customization is excellent, it also usually comes with a higher cost. You should expect to pay more for custom abutments than stock.
One of the main considerations when customizing your implants is the implant material itself. There are two main materials to choose from. These include:
- Titanium Implants
- Titanium is the more common of the two options for dental implants. This option has been around for a long time, and it is well known for its durability, high success rate, and strong integration with the jawbone. Titanium is extremely strong and long-lasting.
- With all of that said, titanium is not the right choice for patients with a titanium allergy.
- Zirconium Implants
- Zirconium implants are a great choice for patients with a titanium allergy, as they are metal-free. Zirconium is also very strong and sturdy (while being slightly less strong than titanium). The color of zirconium implants is more natural and is less noticeable than titanium.
- With all of this said, zirconium implants are made with a single piece and may be a little more difficult to install.
Another very important decision is what material you would like for the prosthetic crown.
Some of the most common materials include:
- Porcelain: Porcelain is a strong and beautiful option that can look very similar to a natural tooth. With that said, it can also be a little more costly of an option.
- Full Contour Zirconia Crowns: Another beautiful option is full contour zirconia crowns. It’s important to note that, while they offer good support, they haven’t been around as long. Because of this, the long-term impact on surrounding teeth and their effects on enamel aren’t well known.
- Gold: Gold crowns offer good support, but obviously, they stick out. Gold is extremely noticeable. With that said, some people actually prefer the look of gold crowns.
Model-Less Scans
Intraoral scans, a new technology that has been growing in popularity, is a model-less form of impression technology. These scans capture the data needed to create a beautiful restoration without the need for a traditional impression.
There are some pros to model-less scans that you’ll want to consider when making your decision:
- Accuracy: Model-less scans can be very accurate. As this is the case, they often allow for a better fit than traditional dental impressions.
- Comfort: Traditional impressions can be very uncomfortable, especially for patients with a strong gag reflex. Intraoral scans are generally more comfortable.
- Time: As intraoral scans can be sent to a dental lab digitally, it can greatly cut down on the time it takes to prepare your restoration. The technology also allows for greater accuracy, which will likely cut down on remakes.
The Right Choice for You
Ultimately, the right choice for you is a decision that will need to be made between your dentist and you. You’ll need to discuss any allergies, aesthetics and, of course, cost. Keep in mind that every choice will come with its pros and cons, which you can discuss in greater detail with your dentist.
It’s also important to note that dental implants aren’t a great option for all patients. If you have a weaker jawbone, you may not be a candidate for dental implants without a bone graft procedure (which can be costly). When your dentist performs an examination, they will determine if you have the jawbone density to support dental implants. If you do not, they will let you know if bone grafting is an option, or if you should simply opt for a different type of tooth replacement.
No matter what dental implant system or tooth replacement option you decide is best for you, make sure you take action and book an appointment to start the replacement process as soon as you can. The longer you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, the higher the likelihood of drifting, jawbone deterioration, and other complications.
Reach out today for a consultation and examination to see if dental implants are right for you.