Do you have missing teeth or are you having problems with a denture or bridge that doesn't fit? If so, you should consider getting dental implants. Dental implants, which are the closest thing to real teeth, are designed to look, feel and function like your natural teeth so you can trust your smile. Dental implants are a popular option for replacing a single tooth, a few teeth, or even an entire set. Implants create a solid base for fixed or removable teeth, made to match natural teeth by replacing tooth roots with titanium posts and holding replacement teeth in place. Implant-supported dentures are stronger than traditional dentures because they use implants for retention rather than adhesives to stay in place.
The implant support allows the dental prosthesis to be shaped like a horseshoe, reducing volume and opening the palate to create more space for the tongue and a better ability to taste food. Implant-supported dentures are stronger and require no adhesive. The full-arch dental implant, sometimes referred to as an implant bridge or “all over four”, is less likely to loosen over time and is fixed. It preserves bone and muscle tone and allows you to eat and talk with confidence.
Full-arch dental implants are the closest tooth replacement option to natural teeth and are also the least bulky option. Complete dentures have been used for hundreds of years and are a cost-effective option for replacing an entire dental arch. An acrylic base plate replaces the gums and supports the teeth of the replacement dental prosthesis. The pink acrylic used to make the base plate comes in several shades and can be closely combined with the color of the natural rubber.
A wide range of dentures ensures that a very natural look can be created. The denture rests directly on the gums and is completely dependent on the gum and underlying jaw for support and retention. Full-mouth dental implants can replace a full arch of ten to twelve teeth and are a very conservative treatment. Six or more dental implants are inserted into the jaw to provide stable support throughout the arch.
We will recommend the number of implants that we know will provide the best result. If you want to replace an upper dental arch, you may need more implants than a lower arch, as the jaw tends to be thinner and weaker than the lower arch. The result is a predictable and highly successful treatment that provides long-term results. All-on-Four is a specific implant technique used to restore an entire dental arch using just four implants to hold a prosthesis that is permanently placed in place.
Since only four implants are needed, the treatment is very affordable and allows patients to have teeth that are firmly fixed and that no one but a dentist can extract. The four dental implants are located in the front of the mouth, where the bone is naturally stronger and thicker, greatly reducing or eliminating the need for bone grafting. It may be a good treatment for anyone who has previously studied full mouth dental implants but who needed a bone graft for this procedure. Patients who choose All-on-Four can receive their new teeth soon after surgery. A new temporary restoration of the implant is performed before treatment.
It is designed to attach implants with splints during healing so that they don't move and can adhere firmly to surrounding bone for months to come, a process called osseointegration. Once fully healed, the temporary restoration is replaced by a permanent bridge. All-on-Four is a good treatment for anyone with loose and uncomfortable teeth who would love to replace them with fixed dentures at an affordable price. It's also a good option for anyone who is faced with total tooth loss and wants to avoid traditional dentures.
Same-day dental implants are a technique where you can receive your implants and a new set of teeth the same day of your implant surgery. This treatment is sometimes called one-hour teeth because it's so quick and can include techniques such as All-on-Four. The technique can replace one or several full teeth or arches. It is especially useful for denture users who have found that their prosthesis has become increasingly uncomfortable to wear and are replacing it with a prosthesis that is held securely in place by implants.
Mini-dental implants can be a cost-effective solution for restoring a complete dental arch, as they are often cheaper than conventional implants due to their design. These implants are narrower than conventional implants and require less bone for successful insertion. They also have a one-piece design that incorporates the implant screw and abutment, which, once again, helps to reduce costs. The technique used to place mini dental implants is slightly different, since the implants are inserted directly through the gum and into the bone, so there is no need to make incisions or stitches.
Usually, mini dental implants are used to secure a denture when restoring a full dental arch, so this prosthesis is still removable. It has special fixings on the denture adjustment surface that are attached to the implants. The result is a strong and stable prosthesis that provides greater biting force than a normal denture. However, the bite force is lower than that of a fixed prosthesis, such as an implant bridge.
The treatment may be good for people who cannot undergo conventional dental implant surgery, for example, when they have lower bone density. Mini dental implants may be less suitable for people with specific health problems, such as autoimmune diseases that affect healing, or for people who smoke. We recommend mini dental implants in specific situations where conventional implant treatment would be less appropriate. Still, when properly planned and placed, treatment can provide reliable results with good patient satisfaction. The cost-effectiveness of the treatment also means that more people can benefit from dental implants.
Unlike a removable denture, a fixed bridge is built on its place. The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are plugged (or crowned) and connected to a false tooth. Usually, the bridge is made of a metal base with tooth-colored porcelain or can be completely made of porcelain. A dental implant is considered a safe and stable replacement for a missing tooth.
The best part? Most of the procedures offered by a dental school in each area are 30 to 50 percent less than the same procedures in a private practice, Wolff says. The most common tooth replacement method is the use of dental implants. They are very reliable and look and feel like natural teeth. They offer a permanent solution for people who want to replace their missing tooth or several missing teeth.
Dental implants can last a lifetime if you take proper care of them. And, as a child, if you lost a permanent tooth playing sports or in an accident, you might remember the adage to soak your tooth in milk and see a dentist as soon as possible. Every situation is different, and you should talk to your dentist about tooth loss and replacement options, Cram says. Depending on your situation, you may need to see several specialists, such as your general dentist, a prosthodontist who specializes in tooth restoration and replacement, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist who treats gum disease. Cram suggests waiting until the area where you lost a tooth heals completely before placing a bridge, usually four to six weeks.
Since these options require at least several weeks, if you are missing a tooth in a prominent area (such as a front tooth), you can ask your dentist about a temporary tooth. If you're not sure which tooth replacement options are right for you, visit your dentist for a consultation. You might be surprised to learn that in addition to routine dental care, you can also undergo tooth replacement procedures at dental schools.
