Types of dental implants and their unique features

Deciding to have a dental implant is a big decision. Depending upon the severity of the work that needs to be carried out, minor surgery might even be required. So it’s understandable that people have many questions before fully committing to a course of treatment. We’ll try to answer most of those questions here and hopefully put your mind at ease once you realise how routine these procedures are.

Are all dental implants permanent?

No. Some implants, such as partial dentures are completely removable. Others, such as our Same Day implants and implant-retained dentures, are a permanent solution.

What are the different types of dental implants?

There are many different types of dental implants but, to keep things simple, let’s put them into five categories:

• Single-stage dental implants - This implant requires one stage of minor surgery. A metal post is implanted into the jaw, and the ends are left exposed. This allows the gum to form around it. The prosthetic tooth is then attached at a later date once the surrounding area has healed.
• Two-stage dental implants - As the name suggests, this type of implant is done in two stages and requires two minor surgeries. The first part of the tooth implant is installed into the jawbone and is then given a few months to fuse with the bone to form a rigid bond. A second surgery is then performed, which involves cutting the gum to expose the implant and attaching a device known as an abutment. The replacement crown can then be fixed in place.
• Endosteal implants - Metal implants that are placed into the jawbone and act as an artificial root to anchor a replacement tooth in place. These are the most commonly used type of dental implant.
• Subperiosteal Dental Implants - A metal framework with protruding posts is placed directly into the bone and under the gum line. The prosthetic teeth are then attached directly to these posts, eliminating the need for further surgery.
• Zygomatic implants - These implants are rarely used. They are considerably longer than normal implants and actually go into the cheekbones.
• Pterygoid implants - Similar to zygomatic implants, pterygoid implants are often used when the patient has low bone density. This implant is secured through your jaw and anchored to the medial pterygoid plate behind.

What are the best types of implants?

There isn’t one magic dental implant solution to fix everything, and this is because everybody’s oral health situation is different. At the risk of giving a very generic answer, the best dental implant is the one that solves your particular issue. However, in terms of the most popular choice of materials that are used for the implants themselves, then titanium is the clear winner. This is because of its biocompatibility. This just means that it grafts well to the jawbone to form a solid buttress for the artificial tooth or teeth.

What are the different types of dental implants materials?

Again, there isn’t one solution here. Titanium tends to be used for the implant, but the crowns can be made from metal, plastic, ceramic, or even porcelain.

Are dental implants painful?

As we’ve already seen, some dental implants require minor surgery, which, admittedly, sounds scary. However, you will be given the sedation of your choice, making the procedure itself painless. Post-implant-surgery pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter painkillers and the discomfort should only last a few days. When it comes to wearing the implants themselves, they are not painful at all.

How much is a tooth implant?

This is a difficult one to answer because, as we’ve already established, everybody’s oral hygiene situation is unique to them. The best thing to do is to book a consultation with one of our resident experts. They can perform a full oral analysis and then recommend the different options available to you.

How long do dental implants last?

This all depends on the dental implant type that you have. Something like a dental splint only lasts for around 2 years before it needs replacing. When it comes to veneers and prosthetic teeth, removable options can literally last decades.

Tooth implant side effects

Time to address the elephant in the room. Sometimes, dental surgery isn’t all plain sailing. As with any kind of procedure, unforeseen complications can arise, such as.

• Prolonged bleeding
• Damage to the nerves and other teeth
• Fractures to your jaw
• Infection

It goes without saying that these will be avoided at all costs and the final result far outweighs the risks involved. Conclusion: We understand that the idea of dental implants is a scary thought for some people, so we want to put you completely at ease. If you have any questions, reservations, or concerns about anything to do with dental implants, then please get in touch to let us know what we can do to help.