Amelia Grant

A dental implant is a small titanium post (screw) that is surgically implanted into your jawbone beneath the gum line. This post will merge with your jawbone, forming a solid basis for your dental restoration.

A dental implant post replaces the root of a lost tooth. It not only forms a root-like bond with your bone, but it also promotes and retains its structural integrity.

A restoration is attached to the top of a dental implant post. Typically, a single crown replaces one tooth. However, dental implants can also support numerous lost teeth with a bridge or to fix dentures.

With proper maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime. Dental implants have a 98 percent success rate.

Dental implants are typically regarded as the best option for permanently replacing missing teeth due to their numerous benefits.

So, what sort of dental implant is right for you?
There are three main options for dental implants. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of each.

1) Replacing a single tooth with a single dental implant

Most dental implants are used to replace a single lost tooth. It requires a single post and crown.

If you have one or more missing teeth that are not neighboring, a single-tooth dental implant may be the best alternative.

However, if you have several missing teeth next to each other, there may be better solutions. Furthermore, if you have several missing teeth, the following form of dental implant may be less expensive.

2) Replacing several teeth with implant-supported bridges
An implant-supported bridge may be the best option when you have several missing teeth that are close together.

A bridge typically comprises two crowns on either side of the missing tooth gap, with an artificial tooth sandwiched between the crowns.

Instead of attaching crowns to teeth, an implant-supported bridge connects crowns to dental implants.

The procedure is similar to that for a single-tooth dental implant. However, the teeth that are missing in the midst of the gap will not be replaced with dental implants.

The benefits of an implant-supported bridge include the ability to safely replace numerous lost teeth in a row without having to replace each tooth individually.

The disadvantage is that not all teeth will receive implants; therefore, you will lose some bone mass.

What happens if most or all of your teeth are missing?

3) Replacing all your teeth with an implant-retained denture
An implant-retained denture may be the best solution if you are missing most or all of your teeth in an arch (upper or lower).

What is an implant-retained denture?
A denture is an artificial arch of teeth. It sits on your gumline and offers the illusion of a complete set of teeth. Traditional dentures have the disadvantage of being removable, which means they can slip, slide, click, and fall out, making daily activities such as eating and talking painful.

Dental implants can be used to anchor your denture permanently, which solves this issue.

How does this work?
Your dental implant specialist will carefully install four dental implants across your arch. While they heal, your existing denture may be changed to allow you to wear it without compromising the healing process.

Once recovered, you will be given a new, personalized denture that attaches to the dental implants. Consequently, you will have a permanent, secure denture specifically tailored to your facial features.

If you wear dentures, this could be the solution to all your denture issues. And if you have a lot of missing teeth, this could be a great way to restore your smile and confidence.