All About Dental Implants
Explore information on dental implants, delving into the benefits, procedures, and types. Equip yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your oral health.
What exactly are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that are ‘implanted’ in the jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots. A fully functioning dental implant consists of three parts: the implant body, abutment, and crown. Over time, dental implants fuse with your bone and act as anchors for permanent replacement teeth. Click here to watch a video to learn more.
How Dental Implants Work
Tooth replacement begins with a consultation, an examination, and a ‘records visit’ including a CBCT, x-rays, and photos. A treatment plan is then discussed and created with you and your dentist. This plan may include tooth extractions and bone grafts to prepare the site for the dental implants and new teeth. There is often a period of healing between implant placement and the final installation of replacement teeth. Your dentist, Dr. Ormaza, will discuss your treatment plan with you and answer your questions.
What Are The Different Types of Dental Implants?
Dr. Ormaza will work with you to review the best options to replace your missing tooth or teeth:
Single Tooth Implants: One dental implant to replace one tooth, or each missing tooth.
Multiple Dental Implants: The most common solution, for people missing all or multiple teeth. This option can be paired with a snap in smile or an All-On-4 (fixed) bridge.
Interested in seeing a pricing comparison chart for replacing all teeth?
All-On-4
The All-On-4 concept is a revolutionary method that offers full-arch replacement on just four dental implants. Designed to maximize the existing jawbone tissue, this technique first requires placing the dental implants at strategic angles. Typically, two straight implants go at the front of the jaw, and two implants stay firmly anchored at an angle in the back of the jaw.
Because of this positioning, patients who do not qualify for overdentures may be excellent candidates for All-On-4 treatment. One of the most significant benefits of the All-On-4 treatment is that the restoration can typically be connected to the implants on the same day as your dental implant surgery.
Snap In Smile
Sometimes referred to as implant overdentures, snap-in-smiles are a more stable, modern version of regular dentures. While conventional dentures rest solely on the gum tissue and the underlying jawbone, overdentures remain anchored by dental implants.
Such a feature makes them removable dentures instead of relying solely on suction or an additional adhesive and much less prone to sliding
Typically placed on 4-6 implants, overdentures are still removable for easy cleaning. However, they can “snap” onto the implants for maximum stability and security.
Patients who are missing most or all of their teeth are usually excellent candidates for overdentures. However, there is a certain amount of jawbone tissue required to support an overdenture.
Are Dental Implants a Good Option For You?
Dental implants are an excellent solution to replace one or multiple missing teeth. Dental implants have become popular due to their 97% success rate in well qualified candidates! A thorough medical review as well as imaging will determine if you are a good candidate for dental implant therapy.