Types of Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth
Do you have any missing teeth, or need to have a tooth extracted? Gaps in your smile can affect more than just your appearance, with too many missing teeth often making it harder to eat, affecting your speech or not supporting your face and jaw. That's why dentists recommend having a missing tooth replaced.
Dental implants are just one of the options for replacing teeth, offering a longer-term alternative to a dental bridge or removable dentures. There are several types of implants to choose from, depending on your individual needs and preferences.
Traditional dental implants
Standard dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically implanted in the jaw bone, where the tooth root used to be. Once the implant has bonded with the jaw, an artificial tooth or bridge of several teeth can be attached over the top, designed to look like natural teeth.
To be a suitable candidate for dental implants, your jaw needs to have enough bone to support it. If your jaw is too small, your dentist might recommend mini implants, another treatment to replace the tooth, or a bone grafting procedure to transplant bone from elsewhere on your body or a donor's, to increase the size of your jaw.
Mini dental implants
If you're not eligible for conventional implants, or you prefer a less intensive procedure, mini implants could be an option. These are smaller than standard implants – 3mm or below in diameter – and the procedure takes less time. They're also usually cheaper than standard implants, but may not offer the same level of support for some teeth.
Full arch dental implants
If you want to replace all of the teeth in your upper or lower jaw, or even replace all of your teeth, talk to your dentist about full mouth rehabilitation.
Full arch or full mouth implants can support a whole row of teeth on just a few implants, making them a more convenient and affordable option than standard implants. As the implants are placed at an angle, you could be eligible even if you're not a candidate for traditional implants.
What are the best dental implants for me?
When you book an implant consultation with your dentist, they'll give you all the information you need about the different options, including an estimate of costs and possible risks so you can make a fully informed decision.
They'll let you know if you're a candidate for implants when they examine your mouth. Your mouth needs to be healthy before implants can be placed, so if you have gum disease or another oral health issue, this will need to be treated before the procedure can begin.
Book a consultation for dental implants in Pascoe Vale
Want to know more about dental implants and other treatments to replace lost teeth? Contact our team at Pascoe Vale Dental Group so we can arrange a consultation with one of our dentists at a convenient time.
Call (03) 9354 7111 to talk to us today or make an online appointment.
References
Healthdirect. Dental implant procedure [Online] 2019 [Accessed September 2019] Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-implant
